Breaux Bridge – A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Pellerin Funeral Home Chapel for James “Pat” Thevenet, 79, who passed away on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, at Lafayette General Medical Center.

Father Louis Allen Breaux will officiate at the Memorial Mass.

Pat worked as a rural carrier with the United States Postal Service, retiring after 32 years of service. He was also retired from the Louisiana Army National Guard and Special Forces Unit as a lieutenant colonel.

Pat enjoyed being a public servant, serving as a volunteer fireman with the Breaux Bridge Volunteer Fire Department, retiring with 56 years of dedicated and unselfish service to St. Martin Parish and the community of Breaux Bridge. He was also very active with many agencies in and around St. Martin Parish, serving as the Civil Defense director for 15 years, a member of the 911 Commission for 20 years, and was a board member of the Breaux Bridge Housing Authority.

Pat was a parishioner of St. Bernard Catholic Church, where he served as an usher. He was a member of the Breaux Bridge American Legion, Post 133.

Pat was an avid wild game hunter and fisherman, who always looked forward to and enjoyed many hunting trips with his sons and grandsons. He loved recounting the many stories of those hunts with the rest of his family and his friends. Pat was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, who treasured many times spent with his family, especially with his loving wife, Gloria, of 55 ½ years.

Survivors include his wife, Gloria Comeaux Thevenet of Breaux Bridge; his sons, Jimmy Thevenet and his wife, Debbie, of Brazoria, Texas, Thomas Thevenet and his wife Nancy of Spring, Texas, Rene Thevenet and his wife Donna of Breaux Bridge, and John Thevenet and his wife Miranda of Parks; his daughters, Lola Champagne and her husband Val of Breaux Bridge, and Jeanne Bergeron of Breaux Bridge; his brother, Paul Thevenet of Breaux Bridge; 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Heloise Toups Thevenet; a grandson, Joey Bergeron, and his son-in-law, Ray Bergeron.

A Gathering of Remembrance will be held at the funeral home from 8 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnson Street, Suite 200, Lafayette, LA 70503-3240.

Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge is in charge of arrangements.

To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.