1936
Earl
2012
Earl Julian Parquette
January 28, 1936 — March 2, 2012
He will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery with Reverend Kenneth Mayne officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Brian Parquette, Greg Parquette, Christopher DeRise, Jonathan DeRise, Robert "Bobby" DeRise, Ronald Clark, Leonard Broussard, Scott Luquette, Timothy Baranco and Wayne LeBlanc. Honorary pallbearers will be, Harry St. Pierce, Neil Clark, Vernon Broussard, Tyler Parquette, Trevor Parquette, Thomas DeRise, Cullin DeRise Chevalon, Brycen Luquette, Russell Frederick, John Craig Hebert and Kenneth "Kenny" Brantley.
One of South Louisiana’s musical icons, arranger, and music educators died leaving a legacy of music history that can be compared to very few in the Acadiana area. Erath native Earl Parquette, a jazz and Dixieland trombone player graced many a stage from here to Europe and other places around the world. Whether playing on local stages with small combos, or heading up major horn sections for Big Bands or for audiences enjoying the swing era tunes, Parquette was a giant among bone players. But while a prolific performer, Parquette was perhaps more importantly known for music arranging. Arranging music for numerous marching and concert bands and teaching music to literally 1000’s of children and college students that came from across Louisiana and the nation.
Parquette began playing trombone at the age of 12 when he moved to Abbeville. By the time he was 15, Parquette was a master horn player and invited to the prestigious Interlaken Michigan Music Camp. After graduating from Abbeville’s Mount Carmel High School, Parquette attended S.L.I. (South Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). In 1954 he married Rita Dartez, a native of Kaplan. While attending college to get his degree in Music Education, Parquette was a stand out trombone player for the original Red Coat Band of SLI.
While attending SLI, Parquette began his long tradition of music education by going back to his alma mater at Mount Carmel as its band director. Once Parquette obtained his Bachelor’s degree from SLI, a career of music education began as he took on the role of music director for various schools. He was quick to help bring about accolades to the schools’ music students. Band achievements, ribbons, trophies, and awards would soon become the trademark of music education under the leadership of Parquette.
In the early 60s, the music educator yearned for more education for himself. He attended McNeese State University, obtaining his Mastor’s in Music Education. He was close to receiving his Doctorate when he decided to take on the leadership of the Acadiana High School Band. Parquette became the first band director of the new Lafayette Parish high school in 1969. He remained there for four years, building a winning marching and concert band reputation that remains part of the tradition of the high school today.
In 1973, Parquette was asked to audition and choose 35 of Louisiana’s top high school band members to tour Europe at festivals and in small villages. At the same time, the Cowboys of McNeese would soon be tugging on Parquette to return to the University. This time, he was called to lead the MSU band where he stayed until his retirement in 1978.
Even after retirement, Parquette never stopped teaching music. He taught literally hundreds of students at both his Pel-State Band Camp in Bunkie, LA, and his Gulf Coast Band Camp in Biloxi, MS. His band camps would continue for 20 years, where enrollment at both camps totaled 400 students a year. At a time, when education systems were thinking about shutting down their music programs, Parquette ramped up opportunities for young people to learn and become proficient at their instrument of choice by keeping both camps running and staffed by former students and family members.
All through the years, Parquette was an original and on-going member of the local Big Band Skyliners that began in the early 1950’s. Later, his combos would include the Earl Parquette Quartet, Earl Parquette and the Dixie Landers, the Frenchmen from Dixie; and he was often called upon to play trombone in other local groups. Perhaps most intresting were the great musicians of our area that Parquette shared the spotlight with. He often shared the stage with the great trumpet player Harry St. Pierre; the amazing saxophone player and inventor Santy Runyon; Lafayette’s consummate band leader Louis Major; band leader Ronnie Mayard, the amazing Chandler family Paul and Phil; and the great guitar player Bobby Brooks. Parquette also played with Bill Rosa, Chet Blackstone, Tony Cutrera, Buddy Cutrera, Harry Greig, Paul Gouchereau, Herb Landry and so many others. The players are mentioned because as much as Parquette was called upon to play with his friends, he enjoyed every moment of playing with Lafayette’s finest. Parquette was a master in his own right, but the commadarie he shared with other greats added to his continued passion for music, even at the age of 76 when he still continued to perform when able.
In 1981, while still very much on the music scene, Parquette began a 31-year sales career with Bankers Advertising. Selling specialty items to schools and businesses throughout his appointed district of Southwest Louisiana, Parquette even excelled in this endeavor. He won award after award. He even achieved the career high three million dollar recognition for number of sales in 2004. He was 68 years old at the time.
The music legacy of Earl Parquette still continues. Every one of his 3 children have been involved in music. His two sons were chosen to perform with the nationally recognized Drum and Bugle Corp Phantom Regiment. His youngest son Greg marched and played trumpet in the Rose Bowl Parade when he attended Acadiana High School. His oldest son Brian is now a drummer in Los Angeles, CA. Even Parquette’s grandchildren have been active in the field of music, either as singers, dancers, or playing various instruments. Known affectionately by his family as “Popsie,” Earl Parquette will be extremely missed by his family. But all of Acadiana will feel the void left by a great trombone man who entertained crowds and brought music education to the highest level that remains the standard of music educators today.
He is survived by his daughter, Annette P. DeRise of New Iberia, Brian Parquette and wife Cheryl of Diamond Bar, CA and Gregory Parquette and wife Celeste of Diamond Bar, CA; grandchildren, Christopher DeRise and wife, Amy, Jonathan DeRise, Desire' DeRise, Monique Parquette, Tyler Parquette, Trevor Parquette and McKenna Parquette; great granchildren, Thomas DeRise, Emma DeRise, Cullin DeRise Chevalon and Brycen Luquette; former spouse, Rita D. LaSource; and son-in-law, Robert "Bobby" DeRise of New Iberia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence Parquette and the former Electa Broussard.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles Street, on Wednesday, March 7, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 8:00 a.m. until time of services.
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