James W. "Jimmy" Herpin

February 1, 1942 — February 28, 2012

Kaplan—Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 1, 2012 at a 2 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of James W. "Jimmy" Herpin, 70, who died peacefully at his home Tuesday morning, February 28, 2012. He will be laid to rest at Kaplan Cemetery with Reverend David Broussard officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Cobb and Chip LeBouef, Ross Herpin, and Carlton, Luddy, and Luther Herpin. Honorary pallbearers include: Delfred Landry, Carlos Dubus, and Wiltz "Poogie" Toups.

To most he was known as Jimmy, but to his three children he was Poppa, and affectionately known as Paw-Paw by his four grandchildren.

The second of three sons, Jimmy was born to A.W. "Dick" Herpin and Annie Mae Breaux Herpin on February 1, 1942. A lifelong resident of Kaplan, Jimmy graduated from Kaplan High School in 1960 and attended both LSU and Southwestern. After college, he joined his father in business at Dick’s Service Station, a Mobil and Goodyear distributorship.

As a child, Jimmy was an altar server and as an adult became an active civic member of his community. He enjoyed working with the youth as a Babe Ruth baseball coach. He later became the youngest member ever elected, to date, to serve on the City Council, of which he did for twelve years, four as Mayor Pro tempore. Jimmy also belonged to the Kaplan Junior Chamber of Commerce, where he served as President and State Chairman of the Outstanding Young Farmer competition. From 1964-1978, Jimmy was also a very dedicated volunteer fireman, and went on to be one of the first on Kaplan Fire Department’s Dive & Rescue Team. He was also a member of the Krewe of Chic-a-la-Pie, where he once served as Mardi Gras Parade Captain.

One of Jimmy’s passions, and a legacy passed on to his children and grandchildren, was his great love of the outdoors. An avid hunter, fisherman and scuba diver, he lived for the weekends when he could enjoy it all. A true testament to his Cajun culture, Jimmy also loved cooking and hosting barbecues, gumbos, and crawfish boils for his friends. In addition, he was an avid reader and enjoyed his many books and working crossword puzzles.

Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. A.W. "Dick" Herpin; his brother, Richard J. Herpin; and his niece, Sara Joanna Herpin. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife, Lois N. Herpin. He also leaves behind one son, Daniel Scott Herpin and wife, Gay; two daughters, Shannon H. Turnley, and Stephanie H. LeBouef and husband, Cobb; and four grandchildren whom were his pride and joy, Kate and Ross Herpin, and Chip and Leah LeBouef. Jimmy is also survived by his brother, Gordon E. Herpin; godchild, Brent Dugas; stepchildren, Brent, Chris, Crystal, and Howard Boutte; twelve step-grandchildren; one niece; and three nephews.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Avenue, on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a rosary being prayed at 7 p.m.; Thursday, March 1, from 8 a.m. until services.

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James W. "Jimmy" Herpin

February 1, 1942 — February 28, 2012

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