AJ LaCaze's Obituary
Funeral services for AJ LaCaze, 94 of DeRidder, Louisiana, will be at 3:00 PM Tuesday, June 14, 2016, at First Baptist Church in DeRidder. Burial will follow at the Beauregard Cemetery. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 PM Monday, June 13, 2016, at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder and one hour before the funeral service.
AJ was born March 18, 1922 in Fullerton, Louisiana to Jake and Lola Beeson LaCaze and has lived in DeRidder since 1945. He passed away at 2:40 AM Friday, June 10, 2016 at the Westwood Manor Nursing Home in DeRidder.
AJ was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great-great grandfather. He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 70 years, Dot LaCaze; two daughters, Elizabeth “Tannie” LaCaze Helms and husband Howard of DeRidder and Sue LaCaze Miller and husband G.T. of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, William Helms, Gregory Helms, Christopher Capano and Nicole Capano Rao; seven great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Willie Mae LaCaze, Nettie Lee LaCaze Watkins, his brother, Louis LaCaze and his son, Gary LaCaze.
AJ graduated from Simpson High School in Simpson, Louisiana in 1939. Upon the onset of World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army and subsequently served a two year tour of duty in New Guinea receiving a Bronze Star for valor. Upon completion of this overseas duty and enlistment, he returned to DeRidder, was married and began a 39-year employment with the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1984. During this employment, he served 11 years as Postmaster of the DeRidder Post Office.
AJ has been an avid hunter and fisherman his entire life, enjoying the outdoors to the fullest. He has been a loyal member of the First Baptist Church of DeRidder since 1945. In addition, he was a member of the American Legion, the Civitan Club and the Kiwanis Club. AJ steadfastly believed in family, hard work and honesty. He was considered a loyal friend to all who knew him.
The family would like to thank Doctor Andres Guillermo, Doctor Robin Yue, the management and staff of the Westwood Nursing Home and Brighton Bridge Hospice for their dedicated and compassionate care provided to AJ during his final years.
In lieu of flowers, donations in AJ’s memory can be made to the First Baptist Church, God’s Food Box, the Agape Clinic, or to the charity of one’s choice.
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