Leroy "'T-Pop' Derouen" 'T-Pop' Derouen

New Iberia Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 28, 2013, at Highland Baptist Church in New Iberia, for Leroy T-Pop Derouen, 87, who died Tuesday, September 24, 2013 in New Iberia. Entombment will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Rev. David Denton, and Rev. Reggie Ogea will officiate. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Pellerin Funeral Home, in New Iberia. Visitation will continue Saturday AT THE CHURCH from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM. A native and lifelong resident of New Iberia, Mr. Derouen was born on May 23, 1926 to Claiborne and Virginia Myers Derouen, and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served our country during World War II. He began working for Southern Bell, and continued working for the phone company retiring from AT&T after 38 years of service. He then worked for 10 years as a state director for the Communications Workers of America. T-Pop was always a very athletic person. He competed in boxing, swimming, and mens softball, and at the age of 50, started running. T-Pop ran in several marathons, including the Boston Marathon, and the New York City Marathon. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, and on February 8, 2012, he was inducted into the New Iberia Recreation Department Softball Hall of Fame. Survivors include his children, Cindy Verret and husband Joey of Sulphur, Cathy Mixon and husband Frank of Broussard, Tomy Derouen and wife Diann of New Iberia, Chad Derouen of New Iberia; sister, Una Bernard and husband Sam of New Iberia; grandchildren, Hillory V. Gallet, Jake Verret, Allison V. Gibson, Ansley P. Barnes, Sydney Derouen, Whitney Derouen; 12 great grandchildren, and several great great grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Thompson Derouen; sister, Olga Lancon; second wife, Opal G. Derouen; and a great granddaughter, Ashtyn Barnes. The family would like to give special thanks to the Barbara, Larry, Jackie, and J.R. T-Boy for their extraordinary care and support. Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd., New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of arrangements.