Curtis M. Hebert Sr., age 92, of Welsh, Louisiana passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Curtis was born December 19, 1931, in Lacassine, Louisiana to Albert and Evel David Hebert.
Curtis proudly served his country in the United States Air Force as a Flight Engineer where he had the opportunity to travel many places and enjoyed sharing stories of his adventures in Korea, Thailand, and Guam to name a few. Airplanes were his passion! Some of his favorite memories were spent flying in the eye of typhoons as a member of the 54th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron in Guam. The plane flown in these missions was affectionately named FiFi in his honor by his squadron leader. He loved to talk about the time he spoke with John Wayne as they were flying over the Pacific Ocean in the same air space. He retired in 1971 and settled in Welsh with his family. After retirement he spent time working at Abel & Son, PPG, Cities Service and Northrop Grumman as a machinist. He spent many hours under the hoods of cars, and he repaired many lawn mowers for his friends in his day! He loved to work in his shop on projects and piddle around.
Curtis was an active member of OLSD Catholic Church where he served as an usher. He was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus and VFW. He was always available when Father May needed a handy man at the church or rectory.
In later years, Curtis and his wife, Mary were invited to join the Cane River Campers group by their friends, John and Ingrid Leblanc. They traveled monthly to campsites and grew a strong bond with John & Ingrid and George & Betty and the other couples.
Family meant the world to him, and he was blessed with such a large one. His face would light up when the grandkids and great-grandkids would come to visit. They brought him so much joy! He loved to host crawfish boils and BBQs for his family and also loved to get a good Bourré game going when his sons came to visit which turned into exciting, competitive matches!
He would often be seen on his golf cart around town conducting his business at the bank, picking up groceries or just joy riding with Mary. He had a good sense of humor and even expressed that on his last days with their caregivers.
Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Evel David Hebert, brother, Frank Julius Hebert, and a great-granddaughter, Hana Bridgette Saicharoen.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 65 years, Mary Lee Bednorz Hebert; sons, Curtis Hebert Jr. (Cheryl) of La Porte, TX, Jeffrey Hebert, and Robert Hebert (Debra) of Welsh; daughters, Dianne Hebert of Welsh, Jennifer Leger (Keith) of Baton Rouge and Donna Galley (Timothy) of San Antonio, TX; 16 grandchildren Paul McMillin, Katie Locke (Dustin), Curtis Hebert III (Brittany), George Hebert (Rebecca), Marques Leger(Meredith), Joel Leger (Victoria), Angelle Leger Jolly (Jimmy), Beau Leger, Brittney Hebert Hazell (Jesse), Meredith Hebert(Derek), Robert Hebert Jr., Shelby Hebert, Christopher Galley(Ashley), Grant Galley (Samatha), Collin Galley and Lauren Galley; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23, 2024 at Hixson Funeral Home in Welsh, LA with a Rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m. led by the Catholic Daughters. Visitation will resume on Tuesday, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am at the funeral home.
The funeral Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors in Welsh with Rev. Susil Fernando and Deacon Wayne Chapman officiating. Interment in Our Lady of Seven Dolors Mausoleum with Military honors will follow. Pallbearers will be Curtis Hebert III, George Hebert, Robert Hebert, Collin Galley, Marques Leger and Paul McMillin. Honorary pallbearers are Dustin Locke and Jesse Hazell.
The family wishes to send special thanks to Heart of Hospice for their loving care.
