A tribute gift is a meaningful way to convey sympathy to the bereaved, memorialize a love one, commemorate a special occasion or honor a person’s life and accomplishments.

 

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HOW DO I MAKE MY GIFT?

  1. Click on the tribute donation button above. If the person you are honoring is listed below, your donation will go towards the program of their wishes.
  2. Mail a check to LAWFF: PO Box 80378, Baton Rouge, LA 70898-0378 - Please mention the name of the person you are honoring with your gift, and if there is a specific fund being used to honor this person. If you would like us to notify the honoree or a family member, please provide the name and address of the individual to be notified.

HOW DO I GET MY HONOREE'S WISHES OR LOVED ONE'S OBITUARY LISTED BELOW?

  1. Please email Rachel Ruiz at rruiz@lawff.org or call 225-765-2860.
  2. Fill out form below to submit information.
 

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  • Zachary (“Zac”) Scott Funderburk was born August 13th 1996 and passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2024.

    Services will be held to celebrate Zac's life with a vitiation beginning at 9:00 am on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at Asbury United Methodist Church, followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am. Officiating will be Pastor Matt Rawle.

    Zac was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Nita Keel Walpole Weathersby; his paternal grandfather, William “Bill” Funderburk; and his step-grandfather, Grover Colvin.

    Zac is survived by his maternal grandfather, Webb Walpole; paternal grandmother, Lena Colvin; father, Wallace Funderburk and wife Debbie; mother, Ashlie Kyle and husband Robert; sister (his other half), Sara Elizabeth Funderburk; uncles, Kevin Walpole and his wife Amy, Joel Weathersby, Rod Rawls and wife Vicki; aunts, Vicki Lugo, Lisa Henderson and husband Jon, Kim Campbell; step-siblings, Madison Royer, and Catherine, Collin, Colton, and Cameron Kyle; and numerous cousins, and girlfriend Karlee Osbon Zaldivar.

    From a young age, Zac was a beacon of strength, curiosity, and determination, all qualities that followed him into his teenage years and adulthood. Graduating from Parkway High School in 2015 as a two-time state wrestling champion, Zac's remarkable success on the mat secured him a scholarship to Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa. After graduating in 2019, Zac enrolled in the United States Marine Corps Officer Candidate School where he excelled and was on his way to being commissioned. Unfortunately, due to an injury during his time with the Marines, Zachary was medically discharged despite being able to meet all physical requirements.

    Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” Soon after, Zac found out why when he landed his dream job and true calling with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries as a game warden. An avid hunter, fisherman, and all-around outdoorsman, being a game warden was the perfect career for Zac. He was always telling people “I can't believe I get to do this for a living!”

    In his free time, Zac shared his passions and enthusiasm for life wherever he could, from coaching wrestling to catching fish to country dancing and more. He was deeply loved and cherished by all who met him, a testament to his warm, inclusive spirit that turned strangers into friends and friends into family. A fighter in every sense, Zac navigated life’s victories and challenges with the heart of a warrior, and while his journey was brief, it was incredibly impactful, leaving behind a lifetime of cherished memories and a legacy of kindness, strength, laughter, and love.

    The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Oschner LSU Health Shreveport, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the Shreveport and Bossier City Fire Department, the Louisiana State Police, and the Shreveport Police Department, who all went above and beyond to offer their support.

    Honorary pallbearers for the funeral are: Wade Baker, David Buckman, Rob Burnth, Dalton Driggers, Mike Fisher, Jordan Haak, Seth Harper, Evan Hoek, and Mike McVey.

    In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that donations be made to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation in Zac’s memory.


 
  • Jeff Bavar of Hackberry and Shreveport, LA, a highly decorated veteran and active Louisiana environmentalist and sportsman, died Jan. 9, 2024, at his home on the marsh in Hackberry.
    Jeff grew up on the water in Orlando, FL, where his love for outdoor life blossomed. He graduated from Winter Park High School in 1967 before voluntarily enlisting in the U.S. Army. During his service in Vietnam, where he courageously flew Huey helicopters, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, eight Air Medals, a Vietnam Air Medal, four Vietnam Service Medals, the Legion of Merit, National Defense Service Medals, and a Presidential Citation.
    After discharge, Jeff found his way back to south central Florida, where he worked cattle before being hired as a deputy sheriff in Osceola County and settling in Kenansville, FL. He married Sharon Gail Haddock, and they raised their children there. As the lone ranch-and-grove deputy for the county, he performed great acts of service, such as rescuing a lost child in a heavily wooded area, capturing drug-smuggling planes, and ridding the local ranches of wildlife poachers.
    Later, he chose a career in landscape architecture and installation, and pioneered the landscape scene in Vero Beach, FL. Jeff made many trips up and down the coast of Florida and the Bahamas perfecting his pursuit of game fish.
    When he tired of the overpopulation of Florida, he relocated to Hackberry. He was one the state’s top redfish taggers, catching, tagging, and releasing nearly 4,200 redfish. He was closely associated with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and was especially supportive of conservation and programs designed to get children outdoors. He was honored by the LDWF TAG program for being among its most prolific volunteer fish-taggers.
    He utilized the marsh to his benefit, so much so that when President Trump visited Cameron LNG in 2019, the Secret Service enlisted Jeff as their point of contact and water escort.
    Jeff is survived by his devoted wife of five years, Sharon Fullerton Bavar of Shreveport and Hackberry, with whom he shared many travels and adventures. Survivors also include his son, Matthew Bavar; daughter, Robin Russell; and five wonderful grandchildren, all of whom he dearly adored.
    He was predeceased by his first wife, Sharon Gail Bavar, and his parents, Emily S. Bavar and Max Bavar.
    A private celebration of Jeff’s life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, January 20, under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home.
    Any memorials for Jeff, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation for its Get Out and Fish! Community Fishing Program ( https://www.lawff.org/get-out-fish ) or to the charity of the donor’s choice.


 
  • Barry Clark Weinstein, age 85, of Metairie, Louisiana passed away on Friday, October 14, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

    He is preceded in death by his step-father Paul Matthews, his mother, Maxine Temple Matthews, and his son, Craig August Weinstein. He is survived by his longtime companion of over 33 years, Carolyn Breland Talley, 7 children, Kim W. Cook, Barry C. Weinstein (Michelle), Laura A. Weinstein, Melissa L. Weinstein, Tara W. Bertoniere (Brad), Ashley W. Berner (Kyle), Jennifer R. Weinstein (Tim Kershenstine), 14 grandchildren, Lindsey Kappes, Michael Cook, Travis and Lacey Weinstein, Olivia Weinstein, Allyson, Alexis, and Riley Knecht, Cameron, Aubrey, Jonah and Rene Bertoniere, Remy Berner, Pepper Kershenstine, and 1 great-grandchild, Addilyn Kappes, his siblings, Jerry Weinstein (Joyce), Edgar Weinstein (Phyllis), Sandra Mulle (Michael who is deceased), along with numerous nieces and nephews.

    A native of the Gentilly area of New Orleans, he went on to serve in the US Air Force, stationed in Japan and was a member of the US Air Force football team. Barry enjoyed his time as a member of the Krewe of Okeanos for a number of years.

    He had a long and successful career in the residential custom cabinet business, mentoring many contractors and builders along the way. He opened his own business, Classic Kitchens in 1996 and brought on his daughters Jennifer and Tara in 2005. Classic Kitchens is still being successfully operated by his daughter Tara.

    Barry was an expert fisherman and fished throughout southern Louisiana, including the bridges and other areas in Lake Pontchartrain, since the late 1950s. He spoke about the lake the way most men do their mothers or childhood girlfriends. He won many bass tournaments and was a member and past president of the Iron Jaw Bass Club. His talent and love for fishing will be carried on by his children and grandchildren.

    He was a loving family man with a great sense of humor, always telling jokes and making people laugh. He loved to dance and have a good time. His joy, laughter, humor, and love will dearly be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

    A Celebration of Life and Memorial Service for Barry will be held on Monday, October 24, 2022, beginning at 10:30 am at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, Louisiana. The Prayer Service and Dedication will begin at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his honor to the Pontchartrain Conservancy or The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.

    Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LeitzEaganFuneralHome.com for the Weinstein family.


 
  • Allen Marshall Stough, 86, of Lake Charles, LA, passed away peacefully at 3:02 PM on Friday, June 17, 2022 in a local care facility.

    Mr. Stough was born April 14, 1936 in Lake Charles, LA, where he was raised and graduated from Lake Charles High School. Allen lettered all four years of high school in football and went on to play another four years at Louisiana Tech. Throughout those eight years, he was recognized with numerous awards and achievements and his teams won a number of championship games. He served his country for four years in the U. S. Navy and was present to help end the Cuban Missile Crisis. Upon his release from the Navy, he began his 30-year career with Conoco, retiring in 1993 as a Supervisor Systems Analyst. He lived most of his adult life in the Lake Charles area, with a short stent in Lafayette and a thirty-year span in Corpus Christi, TX, but returned to Lake Charles five years ago. Mr. Stough was a member of the Presbyterian faith, where he served as an elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Lafayette, helped in the office at Parkway Presbyterian in Corpus Christi, and was active at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Lake Charles. He enjoyed bowling and playing tennis during his younger years and has always had a love for hunting and fishing and spending time at his camp on Bundick Lake. Although he preferred the simpler things in life, he will always be remembered for his positive outlooks on life and the legacy he leaves behind.

    Mr. Stough’s motto and favorite saying (and he had many) was “don’t sweat the small stuff” – then he’d quickly follow with “and everything is small”. The most memorable phases of his life consisted of football, the Navy, Conoco, then retirement in Corpus Christi. Throughout these years, he left a legacy with friends and family as a lighthearted and “glass is half full” man with a dry wit that lifted the spirits of everyone around him. His favorite activity was fishing. And his favorite place to fish and spend leisure time was his little red camp on Bundick Lake, which he built in the early 1960’s. Over the years many family events were held at his Bundick camp with his wife, children, siblings, nieces, and nephews. He cherished his time with family more than anything else.

    Mr. Stough is survived by his loving wife of sixty-four years, Pat Hardee Stough; son, Joe Stough and wife Jena; daughter, Martha Stough; grandchildren, Kacie Lynn Hoops, Madison Newman, Kallen Stough, and Jolie Stough; his best friends, Buddy Spiller and Carlos Urdiales; nieces and nephews, Patsy Pepiton Alexander, Barbara Pepiton Byler, Wanda Susie Pepiton Aguillard, Dena Pepiton Johnson, Nanette Wells Byars, Duncan Wells, Scott Wells, Steve Clawson, Denise Clawson Files, Bryan Clawson, Brenda Clawson Blood, and other family members and friends.

    He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ella Guintard Stough; brother, Louis “Taddy” Stough; sisters, Estelle “Prue” Pepiton, Adeline “Dickie” Wells and Margaret Clawson; grandson, Keagan Riley Hoops; and nephew, Tom Wells.

    His funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Reverend Marcus Wade will officiate. Burial will follow in Sallier Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM and continue on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until the start of the service.

    Pallbearers for the service will be Steve Clawson, Bryan Clawson, Duncan Wells, Scott Wells, Joe Stough, and Trent Pauls.

    In lieu of flower, donations can be made to Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation.

    The family would like to express a special word of thanks to the staff of Harbor Hospice and Compassionate Care, especially Kayla, Sharnell, and Janice, for the care and support given.
    Published by Johnson Funeral Home - Lake Charles on Jun. 20, 2022.

 

 
  • Jeffrey Schaffer, former director for the University of New Orleans’ School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration, died March 25. He was 80.

    Schaffer first arrived at UNO in 1978 as a part-time instructor and over the next four decades became a professor, department chair and director. He was instrumental in developing a master’s degree program for the HRT School.

    “Dr. Schaffer was an amazing faculty and friend. His legacy in the department is significant,” said Yvette Green, associate professor and chair of the Kabacoff School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Administration. “He believed that practical experience was crucial to student development, and he led our work experience and internship programs for several years.”

    Schaffer, who was raised in Syosset, New York, earned his bachelor’s degree and an MBA in finance from Michigan State University. He worked as a financial analyst for Mobil Oil and then for Hotel Corporation of America, where he joined the management training program at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C. He was transferred to the Royal Orleans in New Orleans in 1967 as the director of management services and later took on the same role for the opening of the Royal Sonesta in New Orleans.

    Schaffer was the general manager of the Pontchartrain Hotel from 1970 to 1980. He also served as president of the Greater New Orleans Hotel-Motel Association and a member of the board of directors of the New Orleans Restaurant Association. In 1986, he earned a doctorate in strategic management from Virginia Polytechnic University and a year later joined the HRT faculty at the University of New Orleans.

    Schaffer’s areas of expertise were hospitality strategy, law and cost control. He retired from UNO in 2017.

    Schaffer loved the water and fishing from a young age, according to his family, and always enjoyed sharing his catch with friends. He was a long-time member of the Shell Beach Literary Society.

    “Jeff was a mentor to our faculty who shared words of wisdom and humor,” Green said. “He always had a fishing story, and he threw the best crawfish boils. He will be truly missed.”

    Schaffer is survived by his wife of 59 years, Toby Lurie Schaffer, his son Lane Adam Schaffer (Karen Rabinowicz), daughter Stephanie Schaffer Willner, grandson Leo Francis Schaffer, sister-in-law Carole Lurie Neiberg and many nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, contributions will support the “Get Out and Fish” Program.

 

 

  • A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at Lane Memorial Hospital in Zachary, Louisiana. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on August 23, 1946, and was a resident of Jackson, Louisiana. He was 75 years old.
    Rodger was a graduate of Glen Oaks High School, class of 1964. He received a football scholarship (football jersey #75) to East Central State University in Ada, Oklahoma and continued his education, earning a bachelor degree in psychology and sociology. Rodger was the warden of the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison in his early career, and later served as the director of Juvenile Services. He spent his life as a devoted East Baton Rouge Parish public servant until he retired in 2005.
    Rodger is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jo Ann Andre Aucoin of Jackson, Louisiana; his children, Rodger Neil Aucoin, Jr. of Central, Louisiana , Amy Jo Aucoin Smith of Central, Louisiana, and Wesley Aucoin (Marlene) of Central, Louisiana. Grandchildren; Cody Neil Aucoin, Kaleigh Jo Smith, Tanner Ryan Aucoin, Hope Rene’ Aucoin, Jace Joseph Aucoin, Anna Grace Aucoin, and Alec Alberto Aucoin; sister Terri Lynn Aucoin Warner; many beloved nieces and nephews; and his Godson, Brian Binkley.
    Preceded in death by his parents, Walter & Wilma Aucoin, brother, Richard Theodore Aucoin, daughter in law, April Rene’ Aucoin, granddaughter, Abby Lee Aucoin, and niece, Michelle Lee Marchiafava.
    Rodger was an avid hunter and fisherman and went every chance that he had. His “happy place” was his fishing camp at Toledo Bend that he had for over 50 years. He was also a huge LSU sports fan. He enjoyed watching football, baseball, and women’s softball. He also had a passion for reading.
    Rodger was a devoted family man. He loved spending time with his beloved wife, Jo Ann. They enjoyed vacationing when they were younger, spending time at their camp fishing, salt water fishing, watching Hallmark movies, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his children fishing, family gatherings, and just hanging out. He never missed any activities that his children or grandchildren were involved in. You always had a cheerleader in Paw Paw! He was a devoted brother to Richard and Terri Lynn and would always be there to lend a hand when needed. He had a special love for his baby sister, Terri. He was a loyal friend and would drop anything to help out. Jimmy and Donald Yelverton have been his two best friends for over 60 years. Everyone that knew him knew what a prankster he was. He was always making people laugh. He was a great man and will be missed by all!
    Two of his greatest loves were his beloved dogs, Kenai and Koda. They loved fishing with him and followed him around wherever he went.
    Contributions in his memory will support the “Youth Fishing Program”.

 

 
  • Frank Jude Sohl, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on May 2, 2022, at the age of 83. He was a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, born on February 21, 1939 to his loving parents, the late Arthur Sohl and Agnes Seruntine Sohl. Frank is the beloved husband of 56 years to Margaret Ann Wust Sohl; cherished father of Wendi Abney (Rob), Amber Sohl (Kenrie Eumont), and Erica Smith (Tommy); proud grandfather of Alexandra Abney, Miranda Abney, Logan Nungesser, Grant Nungesser, Catherine Nungesser, and Chandler White; and brother of Doris Parro, Elsie Schlumbrecht, Arthur Sohl, Earl Sohl, and Aurdry Spann. He is also survived by a host of friends and extended family members whom he loved deeply.

    Frank retired from a career in manufacturing and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working in his yard in his spare time. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

    Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, May 6, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Slidell. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00 a.m. Frank will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Slidell following Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Tammany Parish Animal Shelter or the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries Foundation Projects of interest include: the Louisiana Scenic River Program, Get Out & Fish, and Youth Hunter Education Challenge. Memories and condolences may be expressed at www.AudubonFuneralHome.com