Eddy James LeCompte

ARNAUDVILLE ~ Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 25, 2023 at an 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis Regis Catholic Church in Arnaudville for Eddy James LeCompte, age 74, who passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at his residence in Arnaudville.

Interment will be in St. Francis Regis Catholic Cemetery in Arnaudville at a later date. The Rev. Travis Abadie, pastor of St. Francis Regis Catholic Church in Arnaudville, will officiate at the services.

Musical selections will be provided by Charlotte Jagneaux, accompanied by Phyllis Simar on the organ. The songs will be Amazing Grace, On Eagle’s Wings, Precious Lord Take My Hand, Battle Hymn, and One Bread One Body.

Eddy James LeCompte was born on September 10, 1948 in Arnaudville, to the late Wilbert Joseph “Boy” LeCompte and the former Paulita “Pyo” Lalonde. In his younger years, at the age of 10, he and his family moved to New Orleans. After graduating from high school, Eddy went on to join the military. A proud veteran, he served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army from 1968 until his honorable discharge in 1971. While in the Army, Eddy was stationed in Turkey and Germany as a Military Police, where he received the National Defense Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Eddy attended the University of New Orleans on the G.I. Bill, where he obtained his degree in accounting. He worked for Freeport Sulphur for many years as an accountant, a procurement specialist, superintendent at the Garden Island Bay Sulphur plant and then at the Harvey Terminal. Upon leaving Freeport, he later joined the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, where he retired in 2014. Eddy and Ginger returned to his home town of Arnaudville, where he was elected for two terms as the Chief of Police, retiring in 2023. As Chief, he loved to train new recruits, sending many to the police academy, and was always supportive of the members of his department, and devoted to the citizens.

Eddy will be also be remembered by hundreds of volunteers who he mentored during his life in Harvey, as he coordinated and managed a Haunted House event for twenty years for the benefit of the Chinchuba Institute – School for the Deaf, a cause near and dear to his heart. He stood as a “father figure”, a friend, and hero to so many, winning hearts as well as awards and recognitions for the dedication and love he had for his volunteers, the deaf community and those he worked with over the years. He was also affectionately known to many and even referred to himself, as the “HMFIC”, and only those who knew Eddy well, knew exactly why he lived up to that name! Eddy was a devoted father, enduring fifteen years of attending his daughter, Emily’s dance reviews, and enjoyed participating in several productions of the Opelousas Little Theatre, especially when he could join and act with his son, James. He always volunteered and donated to the St. Landry-Evangeline United Way and its events and fundraisers. Eddy was a Shriner in the W.D. White Lodge in New Orleans and a member of the Knights of Columbus in Arnaudville. He was a faithful and devout parishioner of St. Francis Regis Catholic Church in Arnaudville.

Eddy will be fondly remembered for his quick wit and humor, his favorite phrases: “Everything is just peachy” to almost everyone who greeted him; “You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone” to his family who loved to tease him, and “I am very blessed”, when asked about his health. Any time one catches a whiff of a cigar, he will be thought of. Eddy will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved him.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 40 years, Ginger Pope LeCompte of Arnaudville; his only son, James Michael LeCompte (Elizabeth) of Carencro; his only daughter, Emily Rene’ LeCompte (Duane Varnado) of Arnaudville; two adored grandchildren, Olivia Grace Young and Lucas Gene Young; his brother, Philip LeCompte (Linda) of Ponchatoula; his sister, Susan LeCompte Fields (David) of Paducah, KY; and numerous dear friends and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert Joseph “Boy” LeCompte and the former Paulita “Pyo” Lalonde; and his brother, Randy Jude LeCompte.

A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday and will continue from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday.

Pallbearers will be James LeCompte, Dale Scott, Barry Ard, Chip Graybill, Brett Graybill, Duane Varnado, Jeremy Young, Nick Manno, and Josh Trahan.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff of St. Landry Home Health and Bridgeway Healthcare & Hospice of Lafayette.

Melancon Funeral Home of Arnaudville, 224 Main Street, (337) 754-5725, is in charge of arrangements.