July 27, 1928 – June 12, 2016

NATCHEZ — Graveside services for Lucien S. Gaudet Jr., 87, of Lake St. John, who died Sunday, June 12, 2016, will be 2 p.m. Thursday at the Natchez City Cemetery. 

Burial will follow under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from noon until 1:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Mr. Gaudet was born July 27, 1928, in Natchez, the son of Dr. Lucien S. Gaudet Sr. and Cleo Gaudet.

He was a veteran of World War II. He graduated high school from the Gulf Coast Military Academy. He also attended the University of Mississippi and graduated from Bowling Green State University.

Lucien served on the Adams County Port Authority. He was a lifetime member of the Santa Claus committee and served as Santa Claus in 1982.

Lucien owned and operated Dr. Bug Inc., as well as a number of other local businesses.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Joy Lanneau; and one brother-in-law, Ed Wisner.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Roni Gaudet; five children, Lucien Gaudet III and wife, Carol, of Memphis, Tenn., Joseph Gaudet of Laurel, Laura Wynn and husband, Chuck (a special son-in-law and friend) of Memphis and Christopher and Justin Gaudet, both of Parker, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Sally A. Boykin; four sisters-in-law, Renee Wisner, Johna Verucchi and friend, Roy Stephenson, Verna Kuss and husband, Kevin, all of Natchez, and Maria Todd and husband, Rusty, of Houma, La.; two special nieces, Erin and Marty; and five nephews, Jon, Connor, Hayden, Austin and Russ.

Pallbearers will be Nick Gaudet, Thomas Gaudet, Denton Gaudet, Paul Gaudet, Cannon Gaudet, Ben Gaudet, Brian Wynn, Taylor Wynn and Elijah Gaudet.

Honorary pallbearers will be Butch Brown, Yates McGraw, Louis Crooks, Sidney Plaisance, Ken Whittington, Charles Berry, Paul Byrne and Paul Coreil.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to a charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.