Roll Call Tribute

Louis Lawrence "Lou" Martin, DVM 

February 2, 1936 - March 31, 2024 

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 6, 2024, at a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Carencro, Louisiana for Louis Lawrence Martin, D.V.M., age 88, who passed away peacefully Sunday, March 31, 2024, in Carencro, surrounded by his family in the house that he was born in.

Interment will be in St. Peter Catholic Cemetery in Carencro. The Rev. Bill Melancon, pastor of St. Rita Catholic Church in Catahoula, will officiate at the services. Musical selections will be provided by Charlotte Jagneaux and Phyllis Simar.

Dr. Martin was a veterinarian for sixty years, primarily as a Mixed Animal Practitioner and as a Food Animal Inspector.

He began his education at Carencro High School graduating in 1954, then attending Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in Pre-Vet. During this time, Louisiana did not have a vet school; Dr. Martin proudly went on as one of three applicants from Louisiana accepted to Texas A&M University for the class of 1960. Upon graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country holding the rank of Captain as a Public Health and Preventative Medical Officer for all military installations in Northern Nevada and Northern California. His military career took him through Stead Air Force Base in Reno, Nevada, Fallon Naval Air Station in Bridgeport, California, Marine Corps Cold Weather Training Center in Herlong, California, and the Army Ammunition Depot in Hawthorne, Nevada. He later belonged to the Carencro War Veterans where he served as Commander for two years. His military service was always a source of pride to him and his family.

A devout Catholic, Dr. Martin served as an Usher for St. Peter Roman Catholic Church and was President of the society for thirty years. He was a Charter Member for St. Peter Roman Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Council #6958, and was a member of the Holy Name and Bonne Mort Societies.

As a “die-hard” Aggie whose "spirit can ne'er be told", he was a member of the Lafayette Chapter of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students. He was also a member of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association where he served as President and received “Cattlemen of the Year” in 1990. Professionally, Dr. Martin was a member of the AVMA, LVMA, the Lafayette area Veterinary Association, and served on the LVMA Liasson Committee to the Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner. He wrote articles in the National Magazine-DVM and Veterinary Economics, he also wrote a book titled “Fix My Dog, Doc”. He was a true Cajun and hosted with his friends, Académie Acadie, a call-in show teaching Cajun French on AOC. He loved all sports, especially baseball, playing for Carencro High and American Legion in his younger days and served as a CAYSI Little League Coach for ten years.

Dr. Martin was a jokester and his dry wit made him countless friends. He never met a stranger and always left them laughing. Though soft-spoken, his words carried weight because of his wisdom and understanding of the world around him - his handshake meant more than any written contract ever could. He lived a life of helping others and enjoyed every minute of it.

He asked that you not mourn his passing but celebrate his life and the memories shared with him over the years. Each of you were most special to him and thank you for all your contributions shared in his long life.

Survivors include two sons, Louis "Lou" Martin, II and Danny T. Martin and his wife, Kristy, all of Carencro; one daughter, Elizabeth Martin of Lafayette; seven grandchildren, Holli Mouton and her husband, Trent, B.J. Hayes and his wife, Lily, Jacob Martin and his wife, Dicie, Reagan Martin, Trey Martin, Mandy Hollier and her husband, Sam, and Trent Martin; nine great grandchildren, Elise Mouton, Leah M. Lyons and her husband, Derek, Jillian "Jill" Mouton, Aubrie Mouton, Wyatt Mouton, Jude Hayes, Eleanor Hayes, CeCe Hayes, and Rowan Hollier; and one step granddaughter, Nicki Jenkins.

He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-one years, Jill "Mimi" Martin; one daughter, Mary Deanne Jenkins; and his parents, Louis Raoul Martin and the former Adrienne Broussard.

A rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home by Geneva Breaux. The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday and will continue from 8:00 a.m. Saturday until service time on Saturday.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mike Mounir and the staff of Bridgeway Hospice for their care and support, and his many friends and neighbors who brought food and checked on Pop during his final days.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in the name of Louis Lawrence Martin, D.V.M. can be made to The Scholarship Fund, Class of ’60, Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Bio Medical Science, 401 George Bush Dr. College Station, TX 77840.

The pallbearers will be B.J. Hayes, Jacob Martin, Reagan Martin, Trent Martin, Trey Martin, Trent Mouton, and Wyatt Mouton.

Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Ave., Carencro, (337) 896-3232, is in charge of arrangements.