Derek Thomas Romero

NEW IBERIA – A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Derek Thomas Romero, age 19, at 11:00 am Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with Fr. Steve LeBlanc officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Mausoleum.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 Noon until 8:00 pm on Friday with a Rosary at 6:30 pm. The funeral home will reopen at 8:00 am on Saturday until service time.

A native and resident of New Iberia, Derek passed away at 11:44 am on, Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at South Cameron Hospital from injuries sustained in a fishing accident.

Derek was a 2015 graduate of New Iberia Senior High. He was currently a student at SLCC majoring in Engineering and a Water Jet Project Manager for Acadiana Industrial Services. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. He enjoyed spending time with his friends, being helpful to others and woodworking. Derek was the kind of young man that anyone would be proud to call son, brother, grandson and friend.

Derek is survived by his parents, Kirt and Betty Smith Romero; one brother, Damian Michael Romero and one sister Shelbi Nicole Romero all of New Iberia; his maternal grandparents, Collin and Merza Tabor Smith; paternal grandparents, William “Billy” and Myra Richard Romero all of Delcambre.

He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, David and Denise Smith; Debbie Smith; Tracy and Timmy Floris; Kelly Smith; Tessie and Darren Duhon; Magen Hebert; and Kevin Hebert; cousins, Johnathon Smith; Jacob Smith; Molly Floris; Brody Floris; Ian Dugas; Ross Hebert and Emit Duhon and numerous friends and acquaintances.

He was preceded in death by his cousin, Justin Smith; maternal great grandparents, Collin and Myrtle Smith and Hiram and Virginia Tabor and paternal great grandparents, A.L. “Baba” and Mae Richard and Edias and Rita Romero.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Colletti, Matthew Boutte, Matthew Prados, Shane Marin, Brandon Guillot, Andrew Picheloup and Jacob Deckard.

To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.

Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.