Donald Lawrence Petry

Father, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle, Vietnam Veteran, a Kind and Godly Man, Supervisor, Gardener, Friend, Fisherman, and a Man Who Could Fix or Repair Almost Anything

Ebenezer—Donald Lawrence Petry, 67, of Indian Bayou, died Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at 9:30 P.M. in his Indian Bayou residence.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 11, 2013 at 10:00 A.M. in Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene, with Pastor T officiating.  Interment will follow in Indian Bayou Methodist Cemetery.  

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 6:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M. in Ebenezer Church of the Nazarene, and will continue on Friday from 8:00 A.M. until service time in the church.

He was born to the late Creighton and Lena Faulk Petry on January 3, 1946 in Crowley.  He graduated from Crowley High School in 1963.  He married Sandra Hoffpauir on June 14, 1969, and they made a home in Indian Bayou.

Donnie made a career at Slemco and retired in 2007.  He enjoyed gardening and sharing his produce with his family, friends, and neighbors.  Papa, as he was known to his grandchildren, spent many hours working on project in his shop.  “Papa, you are a genius!” said one of his grandkids after watching him repair a broken item.  When he wasn’t working in his shop, you could find him going for a walk, bike riding, fishing with his brothers-in-law, George Hayes and Jim Hoffman, or just sitting in the backyard swing visiting with friends and family.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Sandra Hoffpauir Petry of Indian Bayou; daughter, Rhonda Petry Benoit of Indian Bayou; sons, Chad Petry of Gulfport, MS, and Travis Petry and wife, Julie of Scott; granddaughters, Regan Benoit, Alexis Petry, and Brooklyn Brown; grandsons, Lawrence Petry and Luke Petry; sisters, Melba Petry of Crowley, Shirley Rosinski of Crowley, Beverly Petry of Rayne, and Sharon Gawthorp of Ebenezer; brother, Jeff Petry and wife, Gwen of Ebenezer; and many nieces and nephews on both sides of his family whom he loved dearly.

Preceding Donnie in death were his parents, Creighton and Lena Faulk Petry; sisters, Wanda Petry Hoffman and Karen Petry Hayes; brother-in-law, Wayland Gawthorp; and niece, Monica Petry.

The family received so much help and support during Donnie’s illness.  Thanks to everyone who helped us in so many different ways.  We especially wish to express our thanks to Marlene Foreman and Patty Campbell and the entire staff of Hospice of Acadiana.

Last, but certainly not least, we want to thank Our Heavenly Father, “who does all things well.”  Donnie and Sandy talked many times about how God smoothed out the rough places for them, and about the strength and peace He gave them.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

Condolences may be expressed online at www.duhonfuneralhome.com

Duhon Funeral Home, LLC of Rayne has been entrusted with arrangements.