The Life of Eugene Harris Darnall II
LAFAYETTE - Funeral services will be held Monday, November 9, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 703 Lee Avenue in Lafayette for Mr. Eugene Harris Darnall, one of Lafayette’s earliest and most respected certified public accountants. Mr. Darnall died peacefully at his residence in Lafayette on Thursday, November 5, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. He was 84.
Interment will follow in Lafayette Memorial Park in Lafayette.
Reverend Jan Holloway, of First United Methodist Church in Lafayette, will officiate.
Mr. Darnall was born on August 6, 1925 in Franklin, LA where he grew up. After spending a year at LSU, he entered the U.S. Army during WWII where he served in the Pacific theater with the 186th HQ, 41st Infantry Division—specifically the Philippines. After the war ended, he was stationed at Hiroshima during the first few months of occupation of Japan.
Upon returning home, Eugene married and settled in Lafayette and graduated from SLI in accounting. At the time, he became one of only three practicing CPAs in Lafayette. He then founded the firm that carries his name—Darnall, Sikes, Gardes and Frederick, a large firm that includes regional offices. Mr. Darnall’s professional associations include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Louisiana Society of CPAs, from whom he received his 50th anniversary certificate.
Known for his generosity and good humor, Eugene was a devoted family man and had many close friends. He and his family were active members of First United Methodist Church and contributed to many worthy causes through the years, especially United Christian Outreach in Lafayette.
Mr. Darnall is survived by Anne Carline Darnall, his wife of 63 years; his three sons, Gene Darnall and wife Kathy, Clay Darnall and wife Lynette, and Robert Darnall and wife Jeanne, all of Lafayette; his daughter Melanie Darnall Newton and husband Ron, of Flower Mound, TX; eleven grandchildren, Jennifer, John, and Heather Newton and Gene, Kate, Bryce, Annie, Christopher, Grace, Bobby and Michael Darnall; and one sister, Barbara Darnall Powers, of Lafayette.
He was preceded in death by his parents Eugene Harris Darnall and the former Alice Agnes Brunner; one sister Marguerite Sullivan; and grandson Mark Darnall.
Friends will be received at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2009, and again on Monday, November 9, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Lafayette from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services.
Pallbearers are John Newton, Eugene Darnall, IV, Bryce Darnall, Robert Darnall, Jr., Michael Darnall, Christopher Darnall, David Powers and Alan Powers.
Honorary Bearers are Alan “Jack” Guidroz, Wallace Carline, Ron Newton, Edgar “Sonny” Mouton, Cedric Lafleur and the partners from the firm of Darnall, Sikes, Gardes and Frederick.
The Darnall family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent in Eugene’s name to United Christian Outreach, one of the family’s favorite charities, at P.O. Box 51273, Lafayette, LA, 70505, Hospice of Acadiana at 2600 Johnston St., Ste. 200, Lafayette, LA, 70503, and First United Methodist Church at 703 Lee Ave., Lafayette, LA, 70501.
The family thanks all their friends who were very helpful and supportive, with a special thanks to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Acadiana, especially nurse Jenny, Dr. Luis Meza’s office and sitters Becky, Volanda and Dalana. Their care and concern will always be remembered.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery of Lafayette, 1010 Pandora St., (337) 981-7098.
