Richard “Wayne” Touchet

Abbeville—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 PM on Saturday, June 18, 2022 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church honoring the life of Richard Wayne Touchet, 74, who died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Wednesday, June 15, 2022.  Reverend Louis J. Richard and con-celebrant, Father Glenn Meaux will officiate the service.  Pallbearers will be Ben Segura, Cade Touchet, Kelly Richard, Jr., Eric Durke, Joshua Durke, Grant Johnson, and Jaiden Hungerford.  Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, brothers, and all past and present Police Jury members.  Lectors for the service will be Ron Darby and Wendy Parich.  Gift bearers will be Bobbie and Kelly Richard, and Rita and Ernal Broussard.

Wayne moved to Abbeville as a young man from Erath/ Prairie Gregg area and became a friend to all.  Learning from his father, he started a building contractor business and in a short period of time became known as an outstanding builder. He developed relationships that lasted throughout the years.  During this time, he also decided he wanted to be a detective at the Vermilion Parish Sheriffs Department.  He worked diligently on every case he was assigned. As time went on, he felt the need to serve his community further and ran for District 5 Police Juror, which he held for 18 consecutive years.   He served as President of the Police Jury in 2010 and 2011.  He was a dedicated servant always getting the job done even if it wasn’t in his district. This was his calling and his passion.  So proud to say – “I serve District 5”.  He was appointed to serve by Governor Blanco on the inaugural board of the Louisiana State Uniform Construction Code Council in 2006.  He appreciated being able to help develop new laws that would benefit citizens of Louisiana.

Wayne enjoyed working in his vegetable garden.  He was known for the biggest and best vegetables. Even once he became ill, he continued to tend to his garden.  He also enjoyed fishing through the years and had developed a love for traveling.  Traveling to the Czech Republic was his one of his proudest moments, along with taking numerous cruises.   Vacation was something he looked forward to but always made the comment – “Make it happen between my meetings – I’m not missing a meeting”!

Family was important to Wayne as he was a proud father/grandfather who loved talking about his family.  His biggest accomplishment and was so proud to say – “I have 6 children, but I have 22 grandchildren AND I have 10 great grandchildren”.  He was also proud to know that in October 2022 a great-great grandson would be born.  He always spoke of them with pride on all of them.

Wayne’s life was full and well lived.  He had no regrets.  Possibly the only – not being around to continue to serve the community.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Liz” Comeaux Touchet; two sons, Brian Touchet and Ben Segura and his wife, Tyler; four daughters, Carrie Durke and her husband, Aaron, Becky Sonnier and her husband, Chuck, Renee Touchet, and Victoria Richard and her husband, Kelly Jr.; two brothers, Rodney Touchet and his wife, Jan, and Jeffery Touchet and his wife, Susan; two sisters, Wendy Parich and her husband, Mike, and Donna Fleming and her fiancé, Schuylar; twenty-two grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; a great-great grandson due in October;  mother-in-law, Joyce Comeaux; and brothers-in-law, Kermit Comeaux and his wife, Beth, and Randy Comeaux and his wife, Mary.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Villy Touchet and the former Adley Desormeaux; two brothers, Joey Touchet and Tony Touchet; maternal grandparents, Fernance Desormeaux and the former Sedia Dore; paternal grandparents, Sevinier Touchet and the former Victoria Romero; father-in-law, Kern Comeaux; and brother-in-law, Bubba Fleming.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 300 Pere Megret St., Abbeville, on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 12:30 PM until time of funeral mass at 1:30 PM.  Private burial will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank Acadian Hospice and his devoted caregivers, Vera Shelvin and Carol Ozenne.  We would also like to thank nurse, Angel Kidder for all of her love, support and guidance during this difficult time.