Roland "Poppy" Fernand Ducote

Roland Fernand "Poppy" Ducote, age 83, entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 20, 2022 due to an unexpected health issue. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lois McGawley Ducote; his only child, Melis Seruntine Salez; his parents, Ludger Ducote, Sr. and Cecile Thibodeaux Ducote and his siblings. He is survived by two grandsons, Shawn Seruntine (companion, Brandy Lucas) and Brandon Salez (Jenny) and two great-grandchildren in addition to other extended family members and friends. He was born and raised in New Orleans, LA and was a longtime resident of Harvey, LA. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War as a telecommunications expert and received an honorable discharge in 1967 as a Specialist 4. Following his time in the armed forces, Roland returned to New Orleans where he began his lifelong career as a jeweler. He started with White Brothers Jewelry under the mentorship of Martin Barcelona. He went on to work for Martin and Higgins, then opened his own jewelry store as co-owner of Dennis and Ducote Jewelers. After selling the business to Belle Chasse Jewelers, he continued to work as a master jeweler until the store closed in 2016. Mr. Ducote was known and loved by many people in the jewelry industry and in Plaquemines Parish where he prided himself on making friendships while he sold or repaired treasured pieces that many still wear today. As a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. John Bosco Church, Roland was known as a kind, loving and generous man to all who knew him. He spent his final years enjoying his retirement and fixing or repairing anything broken. He still enjoyed repairing jewelry, glasses and watches or anything else that you brought to him. He never lost his perfectionistic touch even after his retirement. Mr. Ducote will be greatly missed by all who knew him but will be treasured in our hearts forever.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 1:00 PM at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM. He will be laid to rest with his daughter in St. Louis no. 3 Cemetery in New Orleans, LA.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LeitzEaganFuneralHome.com.