Judge John M. Duhe, Jr.

Judge John M. Duhé, Jr. passed away peacefully on May 16, 2025 in New Iberia, LA. Born on April 7, 1933 in New Iberia, Duhé was the son of John Malcolm Duhé and Rita Arnandez Duhé. He was buried in a private service near his first home on Hope Plantation in Beau Pre’ Cemetery near New Iberia.

Duhé was a graduate of St. Peters College (now Catholic High School) graduating with honors in 1951. Thereafter, he attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and Tulane University in New Orleans earning his law degree from Tulane in 1958.

Following graduation Duhé practiced law in New Iberia for over 20 years with the firms of Helm, Simon, Caffery and Duhé; Caffery, Duhé and Davis, and their successor firms. He was then elected without opposition Judge of the 16th Judicial District Court for Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary parishes where he served until 1984.

In May 1984, Duhé was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to replace his former law partner, Judge W. Eugene Davis as United States District Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, Lafayette-Opelousas Division. Judge Duhé was confirmed to that position by the United States Senate in June of that year. In 1988, President Reagan nominated Judge Duhé to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He was again confirmed by the United States Senate and commenced his service on that court in October 1988. Judge Duhé held that position until his retirement in 2011.

Throughout his legal and judicial careers Judge Duhé strove diligently to improve the level of advocacy in his profession. To that end he was a frequent speaker and panelist on programs sponsored by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel, The Louisiana Bar Association and the American Inns of Court. These organizations and their activities to improve the trial advocacy skills and professional integrity of lawyers were very close to his heart.

Judge Duhé is survived by his children, Kim Holleman (Roy), Jeanne Sinitiere (Steve), Edward Duhé (Nancy), his daughter-in-law Lisa Duhé, the mother of his children Dawn Hebert, his siblings Thomas G. Duhé (Paulette), Verna Cook, and Louise Jardell, nine grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sons John Malcolm Duhé III, and M. Bofill Duhé and step-daughter, Lyla Lobdell. Serving as pallbearers are Edward Duhé, Eddie Duhé, Benjamin Richard, Andrew Holleman, Steve Sinitiere and Malcolm Duhé.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace, New Iberia, LA 70560 (337.365.3331)