James Louis Arceneaux, 68, died on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2020.

He was a 1970 graduate of Welsh High School where he was known to many as “Fig.”

He was a Horticulturist and ran a tree farm for many years in Beauregard Parish. He taught Chemistry, Biology, Physical and Environmental Science, and Agriculture. He started his teaching career in Oberlin at the Federal Penitentiary. He also taught at Evans, DeRidder, Leesville, Pitkin, Newton, Johnson Bayou and many other area schools.

Survivors include his sons, Jacques Robert Arceneaux of Baton Rouge, Jonathan Foraker and Amber of DeRidder; daughter, Anna and Dr. George Hammitt of Tupelo, Miss.; brothers, Roger Arceneaux of Crowley, Pierre Arceneaux of Welsh, Jean B. Arceneaux of Lafayette; sisters, Diane Prejean of Houma, Kathleen Leblanc of Lake Arthur; soulmate, Kim Callari Garner of DeRidder; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosemond A. and Arzella Arceneaux; brothers, Alfred, Thomas, Francis “Gabby” and Adrian Arceneaux.

Services were under the direction of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder.