Joseph DuBois

Born on Avery Island on February 2, 1922, he was the son of Drozin DuBois and Antoinette Broussard DuBois. He was reared on Avery Island where he attended Avery Island Elementary and later attended school in New Iberia.

Joseph started his working career with McIlhenny Company, but with the onset of World War II Joseph joined the Army serving as Sergeant training soldiers at various locations in the U.S. He later joined troops fighting in Europe and fought with his platoon alongside Patton’s tanks into Germany. Near the end of the War his unit fought and liberated the Ohrdruff concentration camp in Germany, the first concentration camp liberated by U.S. troops. Upon completion of World War II he was awarded the Bronze Star, American Camp Medal, Occupation Medal, Eur-Afr-Mid E Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Victory Medal.

After the War Joseph returned to Avery Island and married the love of his life, Loucinda LeMaire DuBois on Easter Sunday April 21, 1946. He resumed his career with McIlhenny Company as assistant production manager and later production manager until his retirement in 1984 after forty-four years of service to the company. Following his retirement he spent several years working for his brother Walter DuBois at Dubco Wireline.

Joseph’s hobbies included traveling, woodworking, and cooking, but his favorite was hunting at the Chenier Au Tigre from the time he returned from the War until his eighties. Joseph and Loucinda were a very outgoing couple who enjoyed dancing and associating with groups of local friends. In later years he renewed friendships with army brothers and enjoyed attending several military reunions throughout the country that included their final reunion in Washington DC to view the WWII Memorial and Holocaust Museum. His sons and daughters had the privilege of attending this last reunion with him.

Another of his favorite pastimes was his thirty-five years of service to Boy Scout Troop 15 on Avery Island. During that period he earned the prestigious Silver Beaver medal for his dedication to scouting.

He was a life-long parishioner of St. Marcellus Catholic Church in Rynella, LA, where he served on a host of committees including the Building Committee when the new church was built.

He was preceded in death by his parents Drozin DuBois and Antoinette Broussard DuBois, his stepmother Selena Thibodaux DuBois, affectionately known as Granny, siblings Fernand DuBois, Emerite Landry, Fernest DuBois, Electa Renard, Junius DuBois, Leona Rodrigue, Nolia Trahan, Maude Hebert, Mathilde DuBois and his grandson Matthew Joseph Burt.

He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Loucinda LeMaire DuBois; daughters, Sheryl DuBois Dartez and husband Bobby of Jefferson Island, and Eileen DuBois Burt and husband, Steve of Houston, TX, sons, Joseph DuBois, Jr. and wife Pauline of Bennettsville, SC, Byron DuBois and wife, Kathy of Lexington, KY, David DuBois and wife, Jan of Kingsland, GA, and Michael DuBois and wife, Cathy of New Iberia, sixteen grandchildren Amy Blake, Joshua Dartez, Megan Tjon, Scott DuBois, Ellen DuBois, Rosemary DuBois, Celia DuBois, Stuart DuBois, Marlee DuBois, Kelsey Kelley, Parker DuBois, Kimberly Gaspard, Sky DuBois, Natalie Faucheaux, Kaitlin Burt, Isabelle Burt; eleven great-grandchildren; and siblings Lloyd DuBois, and wife Mary Rose and Walter DuBois, and wife Billie;

Funeral services will be held at St. Marcellus Catholic Church in Rynella, LA at 11:00 am on Friday, January 8, 2016 with burial at the cemetery at St. Marcellus. Fr. Kendal Faulk will be the celebrant. Jodi Bollich, Vocalist, will sing Battle Hymn of the Republic and other selections. The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm Thursday, with the Rosary being recited at 6:30 pm at Evangeline Funeral Home in New Iberia. The funeral home will reopen on Friday from 8:00 am until 10:30 am.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Dartez, Scott DuBois, Stuart DuBois, Parker DuBois, Sky DuBois and Jeffery DuBois.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kevin Horton, Kip White, Ty Bonin, Raymond Bonin, Kenny Benoit, Lenny DuBois, Lynn Rogers, Sylvester Romero, Jr., Ralph Bourque and Val LeMaire.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. DuBois’ name to your local Boy Scout Troop, St. Marcellus Catholic Church, or to your local VFW Post.

The family wishes to thank the personnel with Amedisys Hospice for their caring and professional service.

To view the online obituary, video tribute, and to leave condolences, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com

Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia (337) 364-1881 is in charge of arrangements.