Eric W. St. Amant

Eric West St. Amant, age 84, entered into eternal rest on September 29, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carol Diane Rushing, a son, Scott (Vanessa), and a granddaughter, Emily, of Baton Rouge. He was preceded in death by his parents, Judge and Mrs. Clyde Victor St. Amant, a brother, Judge Penrose Clyde St. Amant, of Gonzales, and a sister Martha Sue Tweedy of Baton Rouge. Eric attended Northeast Louisiana State College where he graduated with honors in Pharmaceutical Studies in 1959. After a brief stint in boot camp, he served six years in the U.S. Army Reserves. In 1967 he and Diane were married and began their new life together living in an apartment in Baton Rouge. Eric began a career as Chief Pharmacist at Baton Rouge Hospital. During these years he would use his considerable skills attending to the health needs of countless thousands of patients, most of whom he would never meet personally. To say that he found his job fulfilling would not be an overstatement. In 1969 Eric and Diane welcomed a son, Eric Scott, into the world. These proud parents nurtured this new life through college and into adulthood. He and his wife, Vanessa, soon presented Eric and Diane with a granddaughter, Emily. During the recent difficult and confining years of his life, when mobility was no longer possible, this tight-knit family gathered around the bedside of their husband, father, and grandfather to bring meaning and focus to the final years of his life. Together they were truly “the wind beneath his wings” when such dedication and devotion was so desperately needed. As is so often the case, so it was with Eric. In the end, it was the family that saw the end of a life was remarkably well and honorably lived. Chief among the end-of-life caregivers was Eric’s wife, Diane. The mutual love and respect they showed one to the other throughout the several decades of marriage was never more apparent than during Eric's final years. His love and support for Diane came to be returned to him many times over. It was she who exemplified the true meaning of the marital vow, “till death do us part.” Diane stood by faithfully attending to his every need during the closing years of his life’s journey. Her legacy of selfless service clearly demonstrates her undying fulfillment of this integral part of the marriage pledge. Her unwavering dedication to this lofty ideal will long be remembered and celebrated by a grateful family. Eric’s code of values included putting family first always. A close second for him was his commitment to helping others. His unbending commitment to these ideals is the stuff from which family legends arise. This man, who was widely known and admired, will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by family and friends alike for many decades to come. A visitation for Eric will be held Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Hwy, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737. A funeral service will occur Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 10:00 AM. A burial will follow Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 12:00 PM at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.