Donald James Borel

January 28, 1940 - January 3, 2026

Donald James Borel, 85, of Abbeville, Louisiana, passed away on January 3, 2026.
He was born on January 28, 1940, to O’Neil Joseph and Ruby Landry Borel.
Donald attended Mount Carmel Elementary, Abbeville High School and USL, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
Throughout his professional career, he worked for Steen’s Syrup Mill, Shell Oil, Coastal Chemical Company and several oil field companies before he transitioned to automotive sales and ended his career as a bus driver for the Vermilion Parish School Board.
Donald was a member of the VC Boosters, Kiwanis, Lions Club and Jaycees, where he served as a Representative to the Louisiana Jaycees. He served two terms as Secretary-Treasurer of the Lafayette Chapter of Gas Processors Association.
He was an early member of the Abbey Player, where he was also an actor in several productions.
Embracing his love of community and music, he was a founding member of The Fa-Tras, a Cajun Show Band conceived by friends for fun. The Fa-Tras played many festivals, including a charity event for St. Jude’s Hospital.
He loved golf and tennis, Saints football, music, dancing, gardening, and he had a deep lifetime love of horses and dogs.
Donald is preceded in death by O’Neil and Ruby Borel, infant Paul Borel, and former spouse, Elizabeth Stokes Borel.
He is survived by his only child, Erin Elizabeth Borel; siblings, Deanna Borel Purpera, Neil Borel, Millie Borel Williams, Janice Borel Penn and Camille Borel Sellers; his nieces and nephews, Gina Purpera, Blair Purpera, Jamie Purpera Arceneaux, Garrett Borel, Mallory Borel Andrepont, Nicole Williams, Ryan Williams, Caffery Penn, Alex Penn, Cody Sellers, Hilary Sellers Dunham, Michael Stokes, Clint Stokes, Lisa Stokes, Dannon Stokes, Patrick Stokes and Ashley Stokes DeHart; and his many, many, many cousins, whom he considered friends as well.
The Church Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville. A Christian burial will be held at a later time.