Sam Aurelian Daigle, Jr., 76, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021. He was born on Oct. 11, 1945, to Sam A. Daigle, Sr. and Emma Logg Daigle in Grand Lake.
Sam was raised in Grand Lake where he attended Grand Lake School and received his GED certificate. He worked in the local industries as a carpenter out of the Carpenter’s Local Union 953.
Sam enjoyed hunting, fishing, shrimping, and most of all sharing his love of cooking with others. He was well-known for his Cajun cooking, especially BBQ, boiled crawfish, fried chicken, and jambalaya, which were among just a few of his specialties. This led him and his wife to open Papa D’s Seafood Restaurant in Lake Charles and later Papa D’s Crawfish in Grand Lake. He was also head cook for Black Lake Lodge and The Coastal Club hunting camps. After retiring, he worked at Darrell’s slicing the meat and “cutting the cheese,” as he would say.
Sam worked hard his entire life to provide for his loving family, who adored him as a husband and father. He was a practical joker and prankster. Sam had a kind heart and loved spending time with family and friends, old and new. He was a man of God, having attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church. He also attended a Faith Renewal and a Cursillo Retreat. He loved and cherished being a Pawpaw, and more recently a Great-Pawpaw. Sam will be deeply missed by many.
Those left to cherish his memory are, his beloved wife of 54 years, Theresa Morgan Daigle; one son, Mike (Aprille) Daigle; three daughters, Melissa (late Thomas) Widcamp, Miranda (Patrick) Booth, and Mary (Terry) Bertrand; (James Welch); thirteen grandchildren, Megan, Hunter, Nick, Ryan (Adrienne), Blake, Alesha (Ian), Caleb, Tyler, Emily, Press, Kyle, Rynn, Selah; two great-grandchildren, Silas, and Adley; four brothers, Martin, LP (Polly), EJ, OJ (Dianne); and one sister, Yvonne.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Emma Daigle; his in-laws, Charles and Benita Morgan; his son-in-law, Thomas Widcamp; and his two brothers, Melvin and JR.
Visitation will begin on Thursday, Dec. 16, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church, located at 11054 LA-384, Grand Lake, from 4 until 7 p.m. A Cursillo Rosary being recited at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday morning, Dec. 17, at the church from 9 a.m. until the start of the funeral mass at 10 a.m. Msgr. James Gaddy will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the Grand Lake EMS, Dr. Clint Lincoln and staff, hospice nurse, Chante.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.
(Paid Memorial)