David Michael Degraauw

October 26, 1953 — August 23, 2015

Abbeville-A Memorial Mass and Catholic Rite of Christian Burial will be held for David Michael deGraauw who passed Sunday evening after a brief illness at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, La. Visitation and services will be held at St. Therese Catholic Church in Abbeville on Friday, August 28th, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. The church will be opened for visitation at 9:00 a.m. with a Rosary preceding the Mass at 10:00 a.m.

David was born in Abbeville, La. on October 26, 1953 to Frank and Yvonne Hebert deGraauw. He was a graduate of Vermilion Catholic High school and attended LSU and Loyola of New Orleans in Business Administration. Mr. deGraauw owned and operated several businesses in Atlanta, Georgia in his earlier years including Mediascope, lnc. and several real estate entities. He returned to Abbeville in 1983 to open and manage the newly built Lafitte Cinema for his father and uncle "Bob" deGraauw. "Dave" remained in Abbeville, succeeding his father Frank as co-owner and operator of the family theatre holdings. He remained in partnership with his Uncle Bob deGraauw in the movie business and additionally served as property manager for deGraauw Properties and the Lafitte Shopping Center.

His hobbies included gourmet cooking, travel, the movie industry and LSU athletics. Dave recalled his fondest memories as being Governor of Rotaract, a Rotary International High School organization; having organized and initiated the first Rotaract National Convention and Offices. He additionally was a highly recognized debater on the V.C. Speech Team and competed nationally.

Mr. deGraauw was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Yvonne Hebert deGraauw. He is survived by two brothers, John and his wife Debbie of Albuquerque, New Mexico and their children Kevin, Jennifer and Drew and Frank and his wife Claudette of Abbeville and their children Lauren, Frank III and Matthew.

Father Kenneth Mayne will consecrate the Mass. Honorary pallbearers will be William Staats, Bob deGraauw, Kevin deGraauw, Edward LeBlanc, Pat Gordon, Greg Broussard, Dr. Bryan Pearson and Brad Pearson. Mr. deGraauw is to be cremated and laid to rest in St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery. There will be no graveside services immediately after the Mass.

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David Michael Degraauw

October 26, 1953 — August 23, 2015

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