Donald Eustice Normand, age 89, of Woodworth

Donald E. Normand
WOODWORTH - A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Donald Eustice Normand at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at Mary, Mother of Jesus Catholic Church in Woodworth with Reverend Paul M. LaPalme officiating. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held at Kramer Funeral Home in Alexandria, La. from 5 a.m. to 8 .m. on Tuesday, July 24, and will resume at Mary, Mother of Jesus Catholic Church in Woodworth from 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, 2018, until time of service. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held in the Kramer Chapel at 6 p.m.
Don, age 89 following a lengthy illness, passed away at his home on Thursday, July 19, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He was born September 24, 1928, in Lecompte to Cylton G. Sr. and Annie Glass Normand.
In 1946, after graduating from Menard, where his red curly hair earned him the nickname ‘Blaze’, Don enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served for two years. He then entered Southwestern Louisiana Institute, where he was a member of the Reserve Officer Training Corps and Theta Kapppa Phi fraternity. Following four years of study he earned a degree in Animal Husbandry from SLI, where he fell in love with Janet Duplantis, a convertible-driving young lady from Houma.
His honesty and reliability, was rewarded with wonderful trips throughout the United States and abroad, which he and his wife enjoyed. Throughout this time, he continued serving his country in both the United States Air Force Reserve and U.S. Army Reserve, eventually retiring as Major.
From his earliest years, Don and his brothers worked with their dad on their farms, nurturing his love of animals and the land. Dogs, cattle, horses and land were always big parts of his life and motivated him to become co-owner of Normand Brothers Farm with his brother, Buddy.
Don greatly appreciated good music, and was such a good dancer he always made his partner look good. Many a dance floor was cleared as big band tunes played and others stepped back in admiration of Don’s ability to “trip the light fantastic.” By the time Mr. & Mrs. Normand had spent 63 married years together, Alzheimer’s Disease crept in and altered his memory. When there appeared to no longer be much accuracy in his thoughts, one thing remained constant: his adoration of that brown-eyed girl from south Louisiana. Ever the gentleman, Don repeatedly requested Janet’s hand in marriage through much of 2016 and was overjoyed at her acceptance. At the time of their 64th wedding anniversary, Don and Janet renewed their marriage vows in a very touching private ceremony attended by their immediate family.
Don was predeceased by his parents, C. G. Normand, Sr., and Annie Glass Normand; brothers C. G. Normand, Jr., Fabius Normand, and H. M. “Buddy” Normand; sisters Preslie Pryor, Annie McCann, and Leala “Sis” Moore.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janet Duplantis Normand, a brother, H. D. “Buzzy” Normand of Dacula, Georgia, and a sister, Cecile “Tookie” Leotta of Alexandria; his sons, Robert (Judy S.) Normand, John (Judy A.) Normand of Woodworth; daughters, Donna (Jay) McGuffee of Woodworth, Kathy (Miles) Kingdon, of Merritt, BC, Canada, and Mary (Craig) Pujol of Bunkie; beloved grandchildren Dawn (Chris) Rajewski, Thomas Normand, Kimberly Normand, Erin (Daniel) Moore, Nick Pujol, Blake Pujol, and Rebekah McGuffee; great-grandchildren Taylor Moore, Braylon Normand, Cayden Rajewski, Ashton Moore, and Harper Rajewski; and many nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers honored to serve will be John Normand, Patrick Normand, Scott Barksdale, Nick Pujol, Blake Pujol and Thomas Normand. Honorary pallbearers are Jay McGuffee, Buffy Normand, Hoffard “Buzzy” Normand, Stephen “Buddy” Normand and Sherman Cook.
The family is in grateful appreciation of the staff of Heart of Hospice for the compassionate, loving care each team member provided him in the last year of his life.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary, Mother of Jesus Capital Campaign, or to the charity of your choice.