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The Life of John Harry Hebert

Funeral services will be held on Saturday April 24th at Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for John Harry Hebert, who passed away on Thursday April 22nd at Lafayette General Medical Center. Father Gary Schexnayder, Pastor of St Michaels Catholic Church in Crowley, will conduct the funeral services. Burial will take place in Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery.

Known to all as Harry, born November 27, 1928 a resident of Lafayette, LA, he was the son of the late Leopold Hebert of Jeanerette, Louisiana and the former Alice Arnaud of Lafayette, Louisiana. Harry was a lifelong Homebuilder, General Contractor, Developer and driving force in the shelter industry in Lafayette and Acadiana since the early 1950s.

He is survived by his wife Marie Elise Lemoine Hebert of Lafayette; two daughters, Lynne Ann Hebert and her partner Lisa Cope of Austin, TX, and Mundy Marie Hebert and her partner Jane Murphy of Austin, TX; two sons, Michael James Hebert and wife Ginger Young Hebert of Lafayette, and Steven Paul Hebert and wife Cindy Judice Hebert of Lafayette; five grandchildren, Elise Marie Hebert, Zachery William Hebert, Elliot Paul Hebert, Julia Claire Hebert and Amelia Claire Hebert; one sister, Hazel Clark.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Ruby Gass.

Harry began working at a very young age in his father''s restaurant the Aggie Land Inn, which was located near the University in Lafayette. He later worked at Lafco Boats before starting his first construction company in 1948. Harry Hebert Homes later went on to develop some of the most well known subdivisions in Lafayette and Acadiana and built nearly 3,000 single family homes, numerous commercial buildings, and various other projects in this area.

Harry''s service to his industry was relentless. He was Founder and Charter Member of the Acadian Home Builders Association that will celebrate its 50th anniversary later this year. Since that time he has served as the Association''s president five times and has held every officer position in the Association and served on every standing committee of the association numerous times. He was a Charter member of the Home Builders Self Insurance Fund and served as Trustee for many years. He was responsible for implementing the first Home Show for the Association then called the ''Build-O-Rama'', now one of the largest locally sponsored trade shows, ''Blueprints Home and Garden Show''.

Harry was a member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, served several years on the City of Lafayette Planning Commission and served as chairman. He also served several years on City of Lafayette Board of Zoning and Adjustments and served on the City of Lafayette 1-49 Advisory Committee.

He has served the industry further on the state and national level, serving on the boards of directors for both the Louisiana Home Builders Association and the National Home Builders Association. He served in every officer position for the Louisiana Home Builders Association and as its president in 1967. He served as Louisiana''s representative in 1969 and area vice president to the National Home Builders Association.

Harry was honored by being recognized Life Director of the Acadian Home Builders Association, Louisiana Home Builders Association and the National Home Builders Association. He was selected as the first Acadian Home Builders ''Builder of the Year'', a Louisiana Home Builders'' ''Builder of the Year'' and also ''Builder of the Year'' by National Homes. In later years he was inducted into the Louisiana Home Builders'' Hall of Fame.

Harry proved he was true to his constant mantra of ''It''s the right thing to do'' by his service to several organizations in need. He rehabilitated St Joseph''s Shelter for Men with Monsignor Sigur and the Diocese of Lafayette. He organized the construction of the first facility ever opened for the Lafayette Community Health Care Clinic that provides services to the uninsured. He also traveled to Honduras on two different occasions to assist in the construction of medical clinics. Harry was once honored at the Bishop''s Charity Ball for his service.

Being larger than life, his outdoor adventures were varied and many. He was an avid duck, deer and big game hunter. His most passionate sport was fishing while varied from fly fishing in the local pond to deep sea fishing on his beloved ''Salty Dog''.

In all of his business accomplishments and adventures, he will be most remembered by his close family and friends as a kind and generous man that always tried to do the right thing. He has passed on the wisdom of his years and his many life lessons to his children and grandchildren where it will live on in celebration of his life. His presence in the community was over shadowed in his mind by his more important roles of husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, sportsman and outdoor adventurer. Later in his life he cherished his role of family patriarch organizing and presiding over countless family gatherings that always featured great food, drink and spirited discussions.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home of Lafayette on Friday April 23rd, from 4 pm until 9 pm with a recitation of the rosary at 7:00 pm. Visitation shall resume at 8 am on Saturday April 24th with funeral services at 10:00 am at Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers.

Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Harry Hebert to Lafayette Catholic Service Centers, Inc. PO Box 3177, Lafayette , LA 70502.

Pallbearers will be Michael Hebert, Steven Hebert, Zachery Hebert, Elliot Hebert, Bobby Hebert and Henry Hebert. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Lemoine, Lynn Lemoine, and Randolph Trappey .

Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

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2010.04.24
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