Elton J. Duhon
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Elton J. Duhon passed away on Oct. 13, 2020, at 94, after a very long and very full life.
He was a devout Catholic, a rabid LSU fan and a fierce champion of justice and fairness. But most of all he was a loving husband, father, pawpaw and great-pawpaw.
He spent his life fighting the good fight, first as an 18-year-old combat MP in World War II and then for the rest of his days as a supporter of good causes and progressive candidates.
Elton was born in Vinton, La., in 1926 and was so proud of his Cajun heritage. He enjoyed his role as teller of old stories and maker of gumbo.
He married Melda Faye Dietz in 1947 and they cherished their 66 years together before she passed away in 2013. They raised nine children, which made their home a loud and messy place, but it was also full of love and books and music. The deaths of their sons Rusty and Brad devastated them.
Elton attended McNeese Junior College and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1949 with bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He worked primarily as a design engineer in the oil refinery industry, retiring from Cities Service in the mid-1980s.
Elton and Melda spent most of their lives in Lake Charles, La., surrounded by a huge extended family and lifelong friends. They were founding members of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. In 1995 they moved to Mathews County, Va., to be closer to more of their immediate family. In 2014, Elton moved to Hampton, Va., to live with his daughter Sylvia.
Elton is survived by his children: Ferris Duhon (Ruta), Marvant Duhon (Susan), David Duhon (Laurie Shaffer), Kathy Duhon (Bruce Squiers), Kevil Duhon (Kathy Crown), Pierre Duhon (Paula) and Sylvia Duhon (Robin McCormick), as well as Brad's widow, Melinda Olds. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Smithers Memorial Cemetery in Mathews County. Arrangements are through R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in Hampton. A complete obituary is available at https://www.rhaydensmith.com.
If you wish to honor him, please consider making a donation to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana (https://www.foundationswla.org). He would also encourage you to vote.