A native of St. Martin Parish ( Grand Bois/ Parks area) and a resident of Loreauville, Mr. Leo “Yo” Joseph Frederick Sr., 94, passed away on Friday, August 15, at home surrounded by loved ones, after a short battle with cancer.

His marriage in 1952 produced seven children- five boys and two girls.

He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Mrs. Shirley Ann Rodriguez Frederick, three sons, Barry Grant Frederick (Suzette Adelle Labry), Michael Jude Frederick (Darla Jean Boudreax), and Leo Joseph Frederick, II (Marty Lynn Rottler), one daughter, Deborah Marie Frederick Ruiz ( Brady Joseph Ruiz). Additionally, they have nineteen grand-children, and thirty-two great-grand-children, and eight great-greatgrandchildren.

Leo is also survived by siblings-brothers Chester Joseph Frederick (Diane Delahoussaye), Herman Joseph Frederick (Sophie Brasseaux) and Lenny Joseph Frederick (Rita Rodriguez), and one sister - Nola Marie Frederick Boudreaux (Joseph Boudreaux).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elus Joseph Frederick and Emelie Marie Cormier Frederick. Also, three children Peter James Frederick (Vanessa Cecile Prados), Jennifer Ann Frederick Bienvenu (Edward Segura Bienvenu) and Bret Christopher Frederick (Carla Ann Frederick Hebert); and one grandson, Nicholas Jacob Bienvenu. Also, siblings - Clifford “Coon” Joseph Frederick (Agatha Latiolais), Lyness Joseph Frederick (Cecile Degeyter), Harold “Monyon” Joseph Frederick (Mary-Lou LeBlanc), Ralph Joseph Frederick (Carolyn Broussard), Yola Marie Frederick Castille (Leland Castille), and Hilda Marie Frederick Gary (Wilford Gary).

They have been residents of the Lake Dauterive area near Loreauville most of their married life.

Leo attended Parks public school, before beginning work on his father’s farm in Grand Bois, farming cotton, sweet potatoes, pepper and sugarcane.

At 17 years of age, in 1949, he joined the Louisiana National Guard- HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment serving for four years. During this time, he was a member of the unit’s Marksman Rifleman’s team where the team competed successfully winning many matches and honors. He was Honorably Discharged on March 6, 1952 as a Private First Class.

He then served another three years in this unit as a Reserve NCOSergeant. He was Honorably discharged on March 6, 1955.

He was then drafted into the United States Army in peace-time in 1958. He was married with children by that time. He was stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado, just south of Colorado Springs, CO during that service period. He was Honorably Discharged from Service with the United States Army as a Pvt. 2, ER 25, 504, 669, Infantry on October 30th, 1959.

After his honorable discharge from the La National Guard in 1952, he returned home and began work in the Oilfields as a Roughneck for several years. Eventually, he moved on to the sugar farming industry, learning the business well, before venturing out on his own, to farm for himself in 1967. He ran his farm successfully until the year 2000, before retiring. He farmed with his sons, often, during this period.

After retirement from farming, he and Mrs. Shirley were offered, and accepted the management of the “Sugar Shack” concessions kitchen at the Cajun Co-op Sugar Mill in New Iberia, LA. During the planting and harvesting season, they served the farming, sugar mill and agricultural community good food and refreshments for another 10 years. All customers enjoyed their company, service and great food.

After retiring from the Sugar Shack, the Iberia Parish Acadiana Fairgrounds Commission and Sugarena offered them the same opportunity. He and Mrs. Shirley ran the concessions area there for another two years before retiring, again.

Leo had a love of the outdoors. He was a founding member of the Lake Dauterive Hunting Club. He enjoyed hunting deer and squirrels. Catching catfish was another favorite activity.

He and his family built a small camp on Lake Fausse Point when his family was young and used it for local recreation. Swimming, fishing, boating, cookouts and campfires, camping there and relaxation. All of his children and descendants have enjoyed these activities until today. The camp remains in use for these activities. It is his lasting legacy - “Camp Frederick”.

As a traditional farmer, he also raised a small herd of cattle for the family, as well as other farm animals. The children grew up learning these skills and participated in FFA/4H, and Sugarcane Festival competitions. Gardening, as well, was another family staple.

Leo and Shirley were fair hands at performing traditional “Boucheries” for family, friends and Hunting Club gatherings.

He was the cornerstone of the Frederick family and the absolute rock foundation of his own.

Mr. Leo was a kind, patient and generous man to his family, and to those accepted into the family. All were beneficiaries of his big heart.

To that end, he chose to be an organ donor and has donated his body to science, for the study and education of the next generation of medical doctors and researchers.

All who knew him called him “friend”, husband, father, brother, cousin, or “Paw”.

He will be dearly missed.

The family would like to thank the Heart of Hospice and family members who took wonderful care of him until the end. Their skill and compassion was a great comfort to the family.