Walter Ray Dantzler
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1 p.m. at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette, for Walter Ray Dantzler, 81, who passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at his residence.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. until time of service, at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette.
Interment will be held in Fountain Memorial Cemetery.
Reverend Mark Benge Sr., senior pastor of First United Methodist Church, will conduct the memorial service. Reverend Monsignor Charles Mallet will perform the eulogy.
Walt, as he was most affectionately known, was born in Georgiana, Alabama, and lived most of his life in South Louisiana. He was the youngest of 11 siblings — four sisters and six brothers. After graduating from Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Alabama, in 1950, he proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. He was a natural born salesman, with the last 35 years of his sales career with Procter and Gamble.
Walt was an active member of the Antique Auto Club of America, The Evangeline Chapter and the 54 Ford Club of America. He was also a member of “LATS” Lafayette Association of Traveling Salesman. Walt and his wife, Maxann, took part in the 1994 Great American Race, which started in Huntington Beach, California and ended in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. This was one of several dozen trips across the continental United States that they took over the last 20 years. They managed to travel to all 48 continental states by car, some more than once.
As a hobby, Walt, bought and sold thousands of vintage Ford parts at different events, such as: race tracks, swap meets, etc. He would package and ship these many parts across the United States. He and his cronies would meet at least once a month at The Coffee Depot in Scott, where they would tell stories, lies and general “BS.” Walt will be greatly missed by his family, friends and all who knew and loved him.
He is survived by three children, Charles Henry “Hank” Cowen III and wife Jan, Julie Cowen Portmann and husband Helmut, and Dr. Todd Duson Cowen and wife Felicia; and five grandchildren, Caitlin Cowen, Natalie Cowen, Emily Cowen, Max Cowen and Alexander Portmann.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 22 years, Maxann Duson Cowen; one son, Samuel Dantzler, who he and his first wife, Shirley, adopted in 1968; his parents, Samuel Allen Dantzler and Lelia Lott Dantzler; and 10 siblings.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Mr. Dantzler’s name to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503 or on their website at www.HospiceAcadiana.com.
The family would like to thank Sheila with Griswold Home Care; and Hospice of Acadiana staff, doctors and nurses. The family would also like to express a special thank you to Toni Duplantis, Hospice nurse, a lifelong friend of Walt’s.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Dantzler family at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com.
Fountain Memorial Funeral Home, 1010 Pandora St., Lafayette, LA, 70506; (337) 981-7098 is in charge of the arrangements.