Donald Ray Chaisson

Donald Ray Chaisson,75, of Welsh went to be home with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Donald was born Sept. 8, 1947, to parents Polly and Elise Chaisson in Welsh. He grew up in Pine Island and was a proud Welsh native.

Donald married the love of his life, Barbara, on May 28, 1966. Donald loved his family and once he had grandchildren, he was never seen on a weekend without one of them in tow and usually, they were riding four wheelers. Family time was always of utmost importance to him.

He was known as a kind, loving man who never met a stranger and would help anyone in need. When anyone came to visit, they always left with a bag of fresh vegetables from his garden, a kind word and a smile.

Donald was a proud member of the Lake Charles local 198 Plumbers/Pipefitter’s Union. His family very fondly remembers a time he and his brothers utilized his craft by welding a pit to cook a “couchon du lait.” He was known to be a hard worker who also had a great sense of humor and always enjoyed playing pranks on his coworkers.

Donald was a gentleman of many hobbies that included gardening (he and his brothers grew every vegetable that could grow in Louisiana), raising cows, chickens, ducks and geese. He had a crawfish pond he tended to on top of raising livestock.

Donald liked to work on his tractors, which could be qualified as antique pieces of machinery. Donald loved the outdoors and often took his family camping at Bundicks Lake and Holly Beach in their camper. He also liked to go fishing, crabbing and hunting.

He is welcomed into heaven by his parents, his brother, Hewitt Chaisson and brother-in-law, Randy Soileau.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Barbara Chaisson of Welsh; daughters Donna Rene’ Collins and husband Randy of Welsh and Melanie Kay Miller of Farmersville, Texas; son Darrell James Chaisson of Lake Charles; Laura “Lolly” Hendrickson and husband James “Jasper” of Lake Charles; daughter-inlaw Thomasena Chaisson of Lacassine; brothers Claude Chaisson and wife Annette of Welsh, Robert Chaisson of Pine Island and Roger Chaisson and wife Donnalen of Pine Island; sister Barbara Soileau of Lake Charles; sister-in-law Linda Chaisson of Pine Island; 16 grandchildren; one greatgrandchild and a host of nieces and nephews.

A graveside service followed his service at Pine Island Cemetery in Welsh.

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

Published in Jennings Daily News October 19, 2022