Earl Lee DeYoung

There are many parts of my life that I do my best to forget, and often times pretend they never occurred. One such time in my life does not fall into the afore mentioned category. It came in the winter of 1983 when I met the woman I thought I would grow old and die with. Her name was Alana Comeaux, but fate had other plans for me... us. However, during our time together she introduced me to a man that I grew more fond of than my own father. That man was Earl DeYoung. His sincere and constant cool manner helped shape me into the man I would one day become. I watched with awe as this man steadily marched forward into every moment life carved out for him, and he never broke stride. He never wavered or feared what was to come next. He simply stepped forward and accepted every challenge with the mighty stance of a true warrior. Earl always seemed to know what to do about everything. His cool manner with which he approached every aspect of his life taught me more about anger management than any psychology course ever could. Earl taught me how to hunt, how to work, and how to enjoy a cup of coffee while relaxing in a chair and juggling all the worlds problems at once. The man was serenity, personified.
I think the secret to Earl was what I call his personal trinity, and that was his coffee, his cigar, and his calm disposition. I’ve never seen him without those three. And that was one of the things about Earl that always amused me. How he could sit and talk for hours, and that cigar stuck in his mouth would never budge until he removed it to either flick an ash or eat his dinner. I've even seen his fall asleep in his chair without losing it.
Now he is gone, and although I have not seen or spoken to him in years, I think of him often, and remember the time I spent with him. Whether we were holding a conversation, watching a movie or helping a great friend Joe Ball remodel his new home in San Augustine, Earl and I nicknamed it 'Panther Junction', he not only inspires me anew to stay focused on the task at hand, but also to disregard the stress that threatens to detract my efforts to take care of what is important to me, my family and our home.

Good bye Earl. I will remember you always.
Frankie, Debra, John, Eileen, I offer you a silent and heart heavy prayer. God bless.

Debra,
Our prayers are with you and your family. I remember while you were at Wyatts your family was a big part of your life. I know your Father will be missed.

Sorry we couldn't make the service but our thoughts and prayers are with you all.