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- Elson Guidry
LAFAYETTE ? A memorial service for Elson "Smith" Guidry, 90, will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Edmond Catholic Church.
The family will receive relatives and friends at St. Edmond Catholic Church from 1 p.m. until the time of services.
A native of Maurice and longtime resident of New Iberia, Mr. Guidry died Thursday, July 8, 2004, with family in Lafayette.
Mr. Guidry attended Judice Elementary School and worked next door at Henry Simon's general merchandise store until he enlisted in the National Guard prior to World War II. As a youth, Mr. Guidry enlisted in the 156th Regiment of the National Guard in Lafayette. When the unit was mobilized into Federal Service by President Roosevelt in November 1940, they trained at Camp Blanding, Fla., and Camp Bowie, Texas, before going overseas to England. They moved on to North Africa where they helped defeat the forces of the "Desert Fox," Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. Next, the 156th went on to Corsica before moving into Europe proper, not far from Lyons, France. By this time a non-commissioned officer, Staff Sgt. Guidry was sometimes an interpreter while not busy as a mess sergeant. According to his close army buddies (J. I. and J. R. Boudreaux), he always had a smile while cooking and occasionally would indulge in a game of bouree' with the other GI's. His good friend, J. I. Boudreaux would sometimes stop whatever he was doing to go help Elson in the kitchen by peeling potatoes. The unit's primary duty as WWII came to a close was guarding Army supplies and patrolling the streets and roads.
Sgt. Guidry earned the Good Conduct Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the European-African-Middle East Campaign Ribbon with three battle stars, the WWII Victory Medal and was honorably discharged in 1945. Following his discharge, he and his wife, Nola, moved to New Iberia where he worked for over 50 years at Abdalla's store, eventually becoming the men's clothing department purchasing manager. He was an avid gardener who freely gave of his homegrown vegetables to his neighbors and friends. He will sadly be missed by all know knew this amiable and wonderful man. In keeping with his kind nature, he donated his body to medical science for research.
Mr. Guidry was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII, a devout Catholic and a member of the community of St. Peter's Catholic Church in New Iberia where he had been an usher at 8 a.m. Sunday Masses.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Nola Broussard Guidry, now of Lafayette; a son, George Elson Guidry of Lafayette; two daughters, Yvette G. Hebert of Lafayette and Pauline G. Racherbaumer of Metairie; 11 grandchildren, Stephanie K. Hebert of New York City, Sandra Roeling of Flower Mound, Texas, Stuart Hebert of Lafayette, Spencer Hebert of New York City, Michelle, Jeannine, Garrett, Bennett and Jeannelle Guidry all of Lafayette, Robynn and Ry Racherbaumer of Metairie; two great-grandchildren, Alyssa Alcazar of Metairie and Elizabeth Roeling of Flower Mound, Texas; eight nephews, Curley, Paul, Maurice, Brian and Keith Guidry, Ernest and Emery Gaspard and Andrus Duhon; and three neices, Sharon Guidry, Linda Chaisson and Fay G. Hebert all of Lafayette.
Mr. Guidry was preceded in death by his parents, Marcel and Anatile Trahan Guidry of the Maurice community; five brothers, Elias, Allen, Lawrence, Stanley and Clifford Guidry; five half-brothers, Charles, John, Theophile, Etienne and Leonce; eight half-sisters, Edith, Esteve, Edia, Alice, Agnes, Edmay, Felicie and Nita and a dear friend and former first sergeant, Jerry P. Lagneaux.
The family wishes to extend its thanks to the wonderful staff of Kingsley Place and Lafayette Care Center for loving care and friendship that they gave their loved one during his stay. Thanks also to all the doctors and nurses who gave such good care to Mr. Guidry during his illness and especially Glenda Green and Yolanda Martin.
In lieu of donations, memorial may be made in Mr. Guidry's name to the American Heart Association and/or Hospice of Acadiana.
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/85221926/elson-guidry
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1913 - 2004 (90 years)