George Eldridge Viator

NEW IBERIA - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for George Eldridge Viator, 69, at 10:00 am on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Rev. Msgr. Keith DeRouen and Deacon Durwood Viator officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Mausoleum.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, January 16th, 2018 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm by his godchild, Melanie B. Wiley. Visitation will reopen at 8am on Wednesday, January 17th, 2018 until the service time.

A native and resident of New Iberia, George passed away on Monday, January 15th, 2018 at Cornerstone Village South in Lafayette.

George was born on December 20th, 1948 to Ethel Mae Pesson Viator and Rebellion Viator in New Iberia, Louisiana. He was drawn to the farming life, and loved it with a passion, even as a child. He attended New Iberia Senior High and graduated in 1967. He then enrolled in the Unites States National Guard. He went on to attend the University of Southwestern Louisiana where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture in 1971. During his studies at USL he was active in the Sigma Nu Fraternity. He made many lasting friendships there. He also met his soon to be wife, Shara Guidry. George and Shara returned to New Iberia and resided on the Jefferson Island Road, where he took care of the family farm, which included caring for cattle, including dairy cows and other farm animals, as well as producing crops of soybeans and corn. In later years, the farm’s primary focus became sugarcane. He and his brother, Jack Viator, carried on the family farm giving it the name of Rebel V Farm, named after their late father, Rebellion. He was active in Farm Bureau, Young Farmers and Ranchers and the Soil and Water Conservation, where he served on the board for many years. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, football, cows, and being on the farm. His kindness, patience, fun loving and wise spirit will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shara Guidry Viator; as well as by his parents Ethel Mae Pesson Viator and Rebellion Viator.

He is survived by his, two brothers, Jack Viator and Ted Viator; and three children Sasha Viator LeCompte, and her husband Brian LeCompte and their four children, Nathan, Alexandra, Samantha and Sarah; Erica Viator Lukasko, and her husband Bill Lukasko and their two children, Alaina and Will; and his son, George E. Viator, II and his wife Beth Trahan Viator and their two children Corryn and Easton.

Pallbearers include his son, George E. Viator, II, his brothers, Jack F. Viator and Ted A. Viator, his sons-in-law, Brian M. LeCompte and William "Bill" Lukasko, his nephew and godchild, Jake R. Viator, his grandson, Nathan M. LeCompte.

Honorary pallbearers include his longtime friend Ronald Gonsoulin, R.O. "Boogie" Lassalle III, and cousin Thomas Viator and his brothers of the Sigma Nu Fraternity.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association P.O. Box 6011, Washington D.C. 20090 and Hospice of Acadiana 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 200 Lafayette, LA 70503.

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.