James Elton Trahan

February 6, 1930 ~ December 21, 2017

ABBEVILLE — A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 23, 2017 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of James Elton Trahan, 87, who passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2017. Interment followed at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville.
Rev. Michael Richard was the celebrant and Rev.William Blanda was the con-celebrant of the mass.
Pallbearers were Terry Trahan, Eric Trahan, David Trahan, John Bonin, Silas Johnson and Patrick Thibodeaux. Honorary pallbearers include Joseph “Maurice” Bonin, Rodney Trahan, Joey Thibodeaux, and Michael Thibodeaux.
Providing music were organist, Tommy Guidry, along with special vocalists; Marie and Luke Looney, his great niece and nephew. Selections were: “Lo, how a rose e’er blooming”, “Ave Maria”(Schubert), “Ave Verum Corpus”(Mozart) and “Make me a channel of your peace”.
Readings were given by Susan Trahan Dardar, Susan Bonin Johnson and Claudell Suire Thibodeaux. Gift bearers were Marcy Thibodeaux Lege, Bertha Provost and Beth Bonin Looney.
A native of Lafayette, James was born on February 6, 1930 to the late Othon and Alma Trahan. He was an honor graduate of Abbeville High School and served 18 months in the United States Army. He then pursued a teaching career, an easy decision because of his life-long love of reading, learning and studying. James received his bachelor’s degree at SLI and later his master’s degree. A noted Vermilion Parish educator, James taught his first year at Gueydan High School and a treasured 37 years at Abbeville High School teaching science and mathematics. After retirement James spent countless hours doing what he loved which was gardening. He took great pride in his daylilies and amaryllis. He also had a love for music, especially classical. His love of Beethoven followed him to the ICU.
James had a great Catholic faith and was very involved in his church community at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church. He reverently served as Eucharistic minister for many years. Other interests included Men’s Choir and Knights of Columbus.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Alice Bonin Trahan of Abbeville, a native of Leroy; brother-in-law, Joseph “Maurice” Bonin of Daphne, Alabama; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Othon and Alma Trahan; brother, J.T. Trahan and his wife Mildred of Maurice; sisters, Annie Dell Thibodeaux and her husband Percy of Abbeville, and Shirley Duhon and her husband Curly of Groves, TX; nephew Steven Thibodeaux of Baton Rouge; in-laws, Whitney and Rita Villien Bonin; and sister-in-law, Margie Johnson Bonin.
The family would like to express their gratitude to all of his loving caregivers.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net and donations can be made in Mr. James E. Trahan’s name to St. Mary Magdalen Church of Abbeville, Sacred Schools of Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, or Mt. Carmel Elementary School, in Abbeville.
All funeral arrangements were conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.