James Darby

BreauxBridge - A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 p.m., on Saturday, November 17, 2012, at Pellerin Funeral Home Chapel in Breaux Bridge, honoring the life of Mr. James Elwood Darby, Sr., 80, who passed away on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at his residence, surrounded by his loving family. A gathering of family and friends will be held at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge beginning at 10 am on Saturday, and will continue until time of service. Fr. Allen Breaux will officiate at the Memorial Service. Readers will be Blaise Benoit and Tillie Morein. Mr. Darby's words and actions inspired admiration in the fellow Marines that served with him during the Korean Conflict, in the athletes that competed with him in motocross races and countless marathons and triathlons, in the students that learned with him and, more importantly, from him at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette from which he graduated in 1999 at the age of 67 and in the many travelers who got the courage to dance thanks to him during gatherings of his family at Mulate's. Mr. Darby was a teacher of visually impaired students, a licensed pilot, and a long-time member of the Sertoma Club. He never met a stranger and his family and friends, who span the globe, have lost a brilliant man of immeasurable wisdom, kindness and humor. Survivors include his beloved wife, Josephine 'Jonell' Darby of Sunset; one daughter, Jacqueline Wack and husband, Mike, of Lafayette; three sons, Jude Darby and wife, Elaine, of Breaux Bridge, James E. 'Jed' Darby, Jr. and wife, Debbie, of Lafayette, and Joseph 'Joe' Darby and wife, Mandy, of Parks; his sister, Tillie Morein and husband, Gene, of Ville Platte; seven grandchildren, Blaise Benoit, Jensie Darby, Phillip Darby, Simone Benoit, Julian Darby, Aaron Darby, and John Darby; and two great grandchildren, Kayden and Noah. He was preceded in death by a son, John Darby; and his parents, Wesley and Verna Vidrine Darby. The family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care for their care and support during his time of need. Pellerin Funeral Home, 211 Berard St, BreauxBridge, LA 70517 (337.332.2199), is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com