A memorial mass for Leo Joseph Frederick, Sr., 94, will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Loreauville, LA with Father Bill Melancon officiating.

A native of St. Martin Parish (Grand Bois/Parks area) and a resident of Loreauville, Leo "Yo" Frederick passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025 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, Shirley Ann Verret, three sons, Barry Frederick (Suzette), Michael Frederick (Darla), Leo Frederick II (Marty), and one daughter, Deborah Ruiz (Brady). Additionally, they have 19 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren.

Leo is also survived by his brothers Chester (Dianne), Herman (Sophie), Lenny (Rita) and sister Nola Boudreaux (Joseph).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elus Joseph Frederick and Emelie Marie Cormier Frederick, three children, Peter Frederick (Tessie), Jennifer Frederick Bienvenu (Edward), and Brett Frederick (Carla Hebert), one grandson, Nicholas Bienvenu and siblings Clifford "Coon" (Agatha), Lyness (Cecile), Harold "Monyon" (MaryLou), Ralph (Carolyn), Yola Castille (Leland) and Hilda Gary (Wilford).

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.

In 1949, at 17 years of age, he enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard - HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 156th Infantry Regiment where he served for four years. During this time, he was a member of the Unit's Marksman Rifleman's team where their team competed, successfully winning many matches and honors. He was Honorably Discharged on March 6, 1952 as Private First Class. He then served another three years in this unit as Reserve NCO - Sergeant. He was Honorably Discharged on March 6, 1955.

He was then drafted into the United States Army during peacetime in 1958. He was married with children by that time. He was stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado during that service period. He was Honorably Discharged from Service with the United States Army as Private 2, ER 25, 504, 669 Infantry on October 30th, 1959.

After his Honorable Discharge from the 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 sugarcane farming industry, learning the business well, before venturing out on his own to farm for himself in 1967. He ran his farm successfully until 2000, before retiring. He farmed with his sons often during this period.

After retirement from farming, he and his wife were offered and accepted the management of the "Sugar Shack" concessions kitchen at 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 his wife 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 were young, where they used it for local recreation, including swimming, fishing, boating, cookouts, campfires, camping and relaxation.  All of his children and descendants have enjoyed these activities till 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.

Leo was the cornerstone of the Frederick family and the absolute rock foundation of his own.  He was a kind, patient and generous man to his family and 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 staff at Acadian HomeCare and Heart of Hospice as well as family members who took wonderful care of him till the end. Their skill and compassion was of great comfort to the family.

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