Reverend Kendal James Faulk

Kaplan—Reverend Kendal Faulk, 62, retired pastor in the Diocese of Lafayette, died peacefully on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at Vermilion Healthcare Center, where he was in residence.

The Most Reverend Douglas Deshotel, Bishop of the Diocese of Lafayette, will be the principal celebrant at the Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kaplan on Monday, August 24 ^th at 11:00 AM.  Concelebrating priests include Reverend Mark Miley, Pastor of Holy Rosary Church, among other brother priests.

Fr. Faulk was born on October 8, 1957, in Kaplan, Louisiana.  He attended grade schools in Kaplan.  Thereafter he attended the University of Southwest Louisiana (USL) where he was a proud member of the Ragin Cajun Marching Band and met his soulmate.  Upon graduating he went on to marry the late Jacqueline Marie Baudoin of Abbeville.  The couple shared the joys of parenting their only son, Kip Faulk, as well as serving in music ministries at their church.  Fr. Faulk was a devoted and passionate educator and band director in Vermilion Parish schools, including Abbeville High School and Kaplan High School, where he impacted the lives of countless students, including his son.  He had an appreciation for all kinds of music and was a talented musician himself.  He also shared his love and talent for drawing and visual arts with so many, often times sketching and doodling on just about anything.  His pen and ink artworks hang in the homes of several beloved friends and family members today, and he lovingly taught his oldest granddaughters a few techniques as his shared passion and talent for the arts appears to have been passed down yet again.

Fr. Faulk joined the Deaconate program in 1996 and served his home parish as a married permanent Deacon for 10 years, later discerning a second Vocation to the Priesthood after the sudden passing of his wife in December of 2006.  With great intention and love for the Church, he attended seminary at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin and was ordained in June of 2010.  He served as Associate Pastor at St. Edmond’s in Eunice, then faithfully served as Pastor of St. Joseph in Rayne and St. Marcellus in Rynella.  He entered into an early retirement in 2017 as he courageously battled a unique and aggressive form of dementia, eventually residing at Vermilion Healthcare Center.  Fr. Faulk had a deep devotion to his parishioners and considered it a privilege to serve others with great compassion throughout his Deaconate and Priesthood journey.  Even through his illness of recent years, he continued to bless those who cared for him with the Pastor’s heart and fatherly presence that so many will remember.

Fr. Faulk was not only an accomplished educator, devoted husband and father, fervent Deacon and Priest, but a loving grandfather to his “girls.”  He treasured many precious memories of his four granddaughters and the pride he had in them was no secret, as they were his beloved little angels whom he prayed for without ceasing.  He will be remembered by them as their “Pop” who brought them M&M candy every time he visited, and the music man who made their daddy the musician he is today.  His spontaneous singing, gardening and landscaping, talking for hours over dinner and wine, his obsession with coffee, and the inevitable heartfelt tears with every encounter are just a few memories that his son and family will hold close forever.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dennis and Della Romero of Kaplan, Ovide and Emathilde Touchet of Kaplan, and beloved wife, Jackie Faulk.

He is survived by his parents, Raywood and Marie Nolia Faulk of Kaplan; son Kip Alexandre Faulk, daughter-in-law Ashley, and granddaughters Lily, Addyson, Cecile, and Katherine of Scott; brother Jody Faulk, sister-in-law Beth, and nephews Shane, Jake, and Dylan of Kaplan; brother, Neil Faulk, sister-in-law Veronica, and niece Jolie of Lake Charles; brother Dennis Faulk, sister-in-law Kathy, and nephews Matthew and Britt of Kaplan.

The following will serve as pallbearers: Kip Faulk, Neil Faulk, Dennis Faulk, Jake Faulk, Adrien Baudoin, and Tyler Saltzman.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 24, 2020 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church of Kaplan from 8:30 AM until the time of the funeral Mass at 11:00 AM, with a rosary to be prayed at 10:00 AM.  The family welcomes all those who wish to share in the life and legacy of Fr. Faulk by attending any of these services, followed by a burial procession to Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his wife.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to a memorial fund set up in Fr. Faulk’s name that will benefit high school students of Vermilion parish with scholarships for music and arts continuing education.  (Checks can be made to: Kip/Kendal Faulk and mailed to PO Box 58, Scott, LA 70583; or give online at PayPal.me/frkendalfoundation ; email contact for follow up or inquiries is [email protected] )