Clifford S. Durand, Jr.

St. Martinville A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, on Thursday, March 13, 2014, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church in St. Martinville, for Clifford S. Durand, Jr., 84, who passed away on Monday, March 10, 2014. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, and continue on Thursday at 7 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home in St. Martinville. A rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. on Wednesday by Fr. Ed Degeyter. Fr. Rusty Richard will officiate at the Funeral Mass with Fr. Kenneth Bienvenu concelebrating. Scriptures will be read by Katrina Ramonell-Durand and Connie Durand. Gift Bearers will be Hope Durand and Mark Simon. Interment will follow at St. Michael Cemetery in St. Martinville. Mr. Durand graduated from St. Martinville High School in 1947 and then attended S.L.I, obtaining his B.S. in 1951; he received his Masters in Education from L.S.U. in 1956 and Masters Plus 30. He was an educator for over 30 years, and served as Principal of Catahoula Elementary from 1965 1983. He was actively involved in 4-H having been named recipient of the State Good Provider Award for 18 years of outstanding 4-H leadership. He was honored in New Orleans by the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, The Times Picayune, and the L.S.U. Extension Service. He was equally as involved in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as a scoutmaster and district chairman, former district chairman of the St. Martin District of the Boy Scouts of America, served many years as scouting coordinator and secretary of the Diocesan Catholic Committee on Scouting, Chairman of the Tootsie Roll fundraising campaign in St. Martinville for many years. A devout Catholic, Clifford was a parishioner of St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church, serving as a Lector from 1970 1995 and Lector Chairman from 1986 1995, where he was instrumental in recruiting and training all lectors, preparing lector schedules for all weekday and weekend Masses, and compiled a handbook for lectors to refer to after all instructions were completed. He was a faithful adorer in the Chapel of Perpetual Adoration for many years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, both 3rd Degree and 4th Degree. Mr. Durand was a member of L.R.T.A. and of the local unit St. Martin Association of Retired Teachers, where he helped and organized and served as 1st president and remained an active member for over 25 years. In his free time he loved hunting and cooking. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Suzanne Barras Durand; his five children, Clifford S. Durand, III and wife, Connie, of Baton Rouge, Dr. Jacqueline Durand Simon and husband, Mark, of Youngsville, Charles Durand and wife, Hope, of St. Martinville, Annette Durand Baudoin of St. Martinville, and Barry Durand and wife, Katrina, of North Port, AL; and nine grandchildren, Alex and Corey Durand of Baton Rouge, Kristopher, Karl and Megan Simon of Youngsville, Lauren and Conner Durand, Amiee and Aaron Baudoin of St. Martinville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford S. Durand, Sr. and Camille Bienvenu Durand; his son-in-law, Craig A. Baudoin; and three sisters, Merle OBrien, Phyllis deBaillon, and Camille Johnson-Foret. Pallbearers will be his children, Cliff Durand, Jackie Simon, Charles Durand, Annette Baudoin, and Barry Durand, and his nephew, Michael S. OBrien. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Alex, Corey, Lauren and Conner Durand, Aaron and Amiee Baudoin, and Kristopher, Karl, and Megan Simon. The family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to his caregivers, Peggy Jones and Renee Wagner, for the compassionate care and attention given to him during his time of need. Memorial donations may be made in his name to a charity of your choice. Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville is in charge of arrangements. To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com