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On Thursday, there was a high school senior from Parkview Baptist High School in Baton Rouge, who verbally committed to play football for the United States Air Force Academy. Why would anyone from Vermilion Parish care? Because of his last name - Mula.
While there is probably only one Mula family who lives in Vermilion Parish, that one family has made its mark in the parish thanks to athletics.
J.Y. Mula and his wife Elaine migrated to Vermilion Parish when J.Y. got a teaching job in Vermilion Parish’s public school system. He had just spent his college days playing football and baseball for USL (now UL-Lafayette). He played quarterback for USL.
The Mulas remained in the parish and had five children, three sons and two daughters. The three sons were good athletes who played sports at Abbeville High School. Two signed athletic scholarships. Mitch signed a basketball scholarship with Northwestern State, while Jared signed a baseball scholarship with LSU.
Mitch eventually left Northwestern State and finished his degree at LSU. It was at LSU he met his future wife, Candace.
The two have been married close to 20 years and have two children while living in Baton Rouge. Their 17-year-old son, Roman, could be the best athlete from the Mula family, yet.
The 6-foot-1 Roman is about to enter his senior season at Parkview Baptist. He has started at quarterback for the last two seasons and is considered a three-star recruit. Last football season, Roman took to the challenge passing for an estimated stat line of 950 yards with 17 touchdowns and rushed for 500 more with 10 trips into the end zone.
Mitch admits his son, who has never seen video of his father playing quarterback for the Wildcats in the late 1980s, is a better athlete. Roman runs a 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. Mitch said Roman gets his speed from his wife’s side of the family.
“I never could run fast,” admitted Mitch.
On Thursday, Roman announced that he wants to serve his country by going to play quarterback for the Air Force Academy. Air Force finished last season ranked at No. 22 in the country.
Roman also had a scholarship offer from Southern University and was also looked at by La Tech, Florida Atlantic and Lamar.
He went with the Air Force Academy because of the future that lies ahead after playing football. The Air Force Academy trains young adults on how to be officers in the United States Air Force. After graduating, Roman will have to serve five more years in the Air Force Academy as an officer.
“I chose the Air Force Academy because of life after football, the benefits of graduating from a school like that are countless,” said Roman. “I also wanted to play football at the highest level I could, and considering that they were ranked number 22 in the nation last year, I would say that’s pretty elite.
“I also loved the coaching staff. Every coach on the staff has texted me or called me at one point in time and told me how I would fit in, and how they think I could lead the team to success. They were super excited about my commitment. They have been a big factor in my decision. The serving part of the offer, in my opinion, is a plus. Saying that you served your country in any way is a huge honor.”
The Air Force Academy is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is 18 hours away from Baton Rouge. For the last eight years, the Mula family had to drive less than 30 minutes to watch Roman play football.
When Roman moves away, it is going to be Mitch who is going to go into withdrawal because he is losing a son, as well as a best friend.
“Daddy is going to have a tough time,” Mitch said about his son being 18 hours away. “It will be hard, but I know he will be a better man once he leaves. I am so proud of him.”
Mitch and Roman have a unique father-son bond. All three Mula boys were close to their father, J.Y., and that bond carried on to Mitch and Roman.
“My dad has been with me throughout all of this,” said Roman. “I will forever be grateful for the countless things he has brought me to, helped me with, and given me advice on. I’m thankful that we have such a great relationship and have shared so many memories throughout my football journey. None of this would have been possible without him.”

A Mass of Christian Burial for Caroline Claire Toups, 17, will be held Monday June 22, 2020 at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, with Father Andre Metrejean officiating. Burial will follow in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Cemetery.
A native and residence of Erath, Caroline was a member of the Erath High School Marching Band, and the Beta Club. She enjoyed painting, reading, playing with her cat, spending time with her family, and fishing with her best friend Gabe. But most of all she will be remembered as being a true down to earth person who enjoyed life to its fullest.
Visitation will be held Sunday June 21, 2020 from 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM with a Rosary recited at 7:00 PM and will continue Monday from 7:00 AM until time of services.
Caroline is survived by her parents Brent and Kim Reaux Toups; sister Sarah Toups; brother Gavin Toups; her maternal grandparents Kenneth and Laura Reaux; paternal grandparents Lorres and Barbara Toups; godfather Todd and his wife Joan Reaux, godmother Amy and her husband Ian Stal. Caroline is also survived by her aunts and uncles Allison and her husband Brian Broussard, Lisa and her husband Clay Broussard, Laura and her husband Clayton Rogers, Bryan Toups, and Kevin and his wife Lori Toups, her Godchild Sawyer Stal; and her very special friend Gabe Menard.
Serving as pallbearers will be Todd Reaux, Brent Toups, Bryan Toups, Gavin Toups, Kevin Toups, and Monty Rogers, Honorary pallbearer will be Gabe Menard.
Condolences may be sent to the Toups family at www.davidfuneralhome.org
David Funeral Home 209 E. Putnam St. Erath 7-337-937-0405 is in charge of arrangements.

November 24, 1948 ~ June 17, 2020

ABBEVILLE — Graveside services will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, June 19, 2020 at St. Paul Cemetery honoring the life of Michael Jude Thibodeaux, 71, passed away on June 17, 2020 at his residence. Reverend Louis J. Richard will officiate the services. Serving as pallbearers are Brandon Lege, Terry Trahan, Eric Trahan, David Trahan, Earl Chiasson, Jr. and Silas Johnson. Honorary pallbearers are Bryce Lege, Patrick Thibodeaux, Joey Thibodeaux and Rodney Trahan.
After graduating from Abbeville High School in 1966, Mike attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches and was a member of Kappa Order Gamma Psi Chapter. Mike had a great love for his country and was proud to have served in the Air Force from 1969-1972. He was a retired
Tank Inspector Supervisor. He enjoyed a good barbeque and was a very thoughtful and jolly person always bringing a smile to others faces.
He is survived by two brothers, Patrick Thibodeaux of Mobile, Alabama and Joey Thibodeaux and his wife Claudell Suire of Abbeville; three sisters, Kathy Thibodeaux of Baton Rouge, Gwen Thibodeaux of Abbeville and Carla Thibodeaux of Baton Rouge; two nieces, Marcy Thibodeaux Lege and her husband Brandon of Abbeville and Margaret Wood and husband Mark of Alabama; two great nieces, Megan Lege and Emilie Wood; and two great nephews, Bryce Lege and John Christopher Wood.
He was preceded in death by his father, Percy P. Thibodeaux; his mother, Annie Dell Trahan Thibodeaux; his brother, Steven Percy Thibodeaux; maternal grandparents, Theodore and Alma Broussard Trahan; and paternal grandparents, Joseph and Clondire Delahoussaye Thibodeaux.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Friday, June 19, 2020 from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM when the procession will depart for the cemetery. A rosary will be prayed at 11:30 AM.
The family would like to thank LAMM Hospice Care and his team of sitters for the care they gave Mike in his last days.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 20, 2020, in St. Alphonsus Catholic Church for Edith LeBlanc, 92, who passed away on June 17, 2020.
Reverend Paul Bienvenu, Pastor, will serve as Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services.
Burial will take place in St. Alphonsus Cemetery.
Edith, a resident of Abbeville, was the daughter of the late Davey Duhon and the former Jenita Trahan.
She was a 1949 graduate of Southwest Louisiana Institute and worked at Young Eye Clinic in Abbeville for 60 years, retiring in her mid-eighties.
She is survived by her daughters, Lynn LeBlanc Guillory and her husband Gibson and Janice LeBlanc Ayo her husband Danny; grandchildren, David Ayo and his wife Penny and Danielle Ayo Trahan and her husband Dustin; and great-grandchildren, Bayli Neveu, Chloe Neveu, Lillian Ayo, Finley Vinson, and Fletcher Trahan.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis Joseph LeBlanc.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home on Saturday, June 20, 2020, from 8:00 am until time of service.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Eastridge Senior Living Suites and Claudia LeMaire for their care and compassion for Edith.
Personal condolences may be sent to the LeBlanc family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme Funeral Home, 200 Chief H. Fred Road, Maurice, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.