Percy Joseph ‘P.J.’ Melancon

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015, at St. Bernard Catholic Church for Percy Joseph “P.J.” Melancon, 89, who passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2015.
Visiting hours were observed from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Thursday and continued on Friday at 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home in Breaux Bridge. A rosary was prayed by Shane Castille at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Rev. David Broussard officiated at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures were read by Adam Johnson and Gary Rabalais. Gift Bearers were Marie Rabalais and Brenda Melancon.
Entombment followed at St. Bernard Mausoleum - No. 2 in Breaux Bridge.
P.J. was a veteran of World War II, honorably serving his country in the United States Army. He was a native of Lafayette and a resident of Breaux Bridge for the past 18 years. P.J. retired from the City of Lafayette Public Works Department in 1988. He was active in civic organizations including Civitan and was past President of LARC. He and his wife enjoyed camping with the C’est La Vie camping club, in which he was a past President.
His greatest passion however was playing the fiddle. In the 1940’s and 1950’s he played different string instruments with the Happy Fats Band, Doc Guidry, Papa Cairo, and the Nelson Knight bands. Other bands in which he played included the Leo Soileau, Harry Choate bands, and the Louisiana Swingers. In recent years, he played in the Golden Express Band, which would go to various nursing homes in the Acadiana area to entertain the residents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Lucille Guidry Melancon of Breaux Bridge; his daughter, Patti M. Johnson and husband Ted of Cecilia; his son, Larry James Melancon and wife Brenda of Moss Bluff; two step-sons, Gary J. Rabalais and wife Marie of Kingwood, Texas, and Glenn J. Rabalais of Breaux Bridge; his sister, Gladys M. Bourdier of Lafayette; nine grandchildren, Adam Johnson, Cy Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, Jared Melancon, Dacia Melancon Alexander, Caroline Rabalais Landrum, Caleb Rabalais, Elizabeth Webb Laughlin and Neil Webb; and nine great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clebert and Estella Comeaux Melancon; two sisters, Lily Mae Cormier and Betty Jane Broussard; and three brothers, Whitney Melancon, Wilbert “Bud” Melancon, and Raymond “Monty” Melancon.
Pallbearers were Adam Johnson, Cy Johnson, Jared Melancon, Joey Broussard, Jonathan Johnson, Caleb Rabalais and Charles Melancon.
Honorary pallbearers were The Golden Express Band members, Aubrey Guidry, Billy Bice, George Philly, Sid Janice and J. B. Theriot.
The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Debra Durham, Dr. Samuel Shuffler and Dr. Agostino Ingraldi, and the staff of River Oaks Manor, for the wonderful care provided to him during his time of need.
Pellerin Funeral Home of Breaux Bridge was in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary and sign guestbook, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.