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After 30 years of serving in the U.S. Army, Paul Barras of Abbeville has decided to retire and accept a civilian job at Tulane University Hospital and a teaching position at LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans.
His official retirement date was Aug. 1, 2021.
Barras, the son of Ray and Jane Barras of Abbeville, graduated from Abbeville in 1984 and then attended USL where he graduated in nursing in 1988.
After graduating nursing, he looked into enrolling into anesthesia school but learned there was a waiting list. So, Barras applied for and was granted a direct commission in the U.S. Army in 1991. Barras entered the Army as a 2LT and was immediately assigned to the 2nd Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, Ft Benning, He rose to the rank of Colonel over the last 30 years.
USARUT GA. - In this initial assignment, Col. Barras learned the complexities in providing emergency and critical care in austere, under-resourced environments. Col. Barras was then selected to attend the University of Texas / US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing graduating in 1996 with a Master of Anesthesia Nursing from the University of Texas, Health Science Center Houston.
Col. Barras has practiced Anesthesia Nursing and served as Chief Anesthesia Nursing at Womack Army Medical Center, FT Bragg NC, Darnall Army Medical Center, FT Hood, TX, Bayne Jones Army Hospital, FT Polk, LA and Heidelberg Medical Facility Heidelberg, Germany.
He has served as adjunct faculty and clinical preceptor for numerous anesthesia residency and teaching programs to include the US Army Anesthesia Nursing program, Baylor University, Texas Christian University, Texas Wesleyan University, and Louisiana State University.
Col. Barras had the privilege of providing anesthesia care in numerous forward deployed capacities, to include Special Operations Surgical and Resuscitative Teams, Forward Surgical Teams, Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals, and Combat Support Hospitals. Col. Barras has served multiple tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, across the African continent, and underway with the U.S. Navy in the Indian Ocean. For seven years, from 2005-2012, Col. Barras served as a member of the Joint Medical section of Joint Special Operations Command, FT Bragg, NC.
In this operational role, Col. Barras provided direct surgical and resuscitative mission support, trauma and tactical casualty training, and advisory support to team members from the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine top tier, antiterrorism Special Operation forces.
In 2014, Col. Barras completed a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. Subsequently, COL Barras was selected to serve on the U.S. Army Medical Department Command, Office of the Surgeon General Staff as the Director of the Army Comprehensive Pain Management Program, Falls Church, VA. As the program director, Col. Barras managed the $33 million network of Army Comprehensive Pain Management Centers and over 300 support personnel and providers across the Army enterprise.
He was then assigned as Chief Clinical Operations and Chief Nurse, US Army Forces Command Surgeon’s Office, FT Bragg, NC.
Col. Barras’ professional military education includes the AMEDD Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Army Command and General Staff College, and Senior Service College at National Defense University. Col. Barras has been recognized by the Army Surgeon General with the “A” Proficiency Designator presented to leaders in the Army Medical Department who have achieved national prominence in their respective career field.
Additionally, Col. Barras has been recognized as an inductee in the Order of Military Medical Merit for his contributions and accomplishments in the Army Medical Department. He had the honor of serving as the Anesthesia Nursing Consultant to the Army Surgeon General from 2014 to 2018.
Barras has been happily married to Theresa (also a graduate of USL Bachelor of Science in Nursing) for 32 years and has two grown sons.
His eldest, Cody, is married to Meagan and live in New Orleans, LA. Fred, his youngest, is a junior at Appalachian State University, Boone NC majoring in Criminal Justice.
The Barras family is now living in New Orleans.

January 31, 1930 ~ August 26, 2021

COW ISLAND — A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at St. Anne Catholic Church honoring the life of Ruby Derouen Gastal, 91, who died Thursday, August 26, 2021 at Pelican Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation. She will be laid to rest at St. Anne Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Barzare officiating the services. Serving as pallbearers will be Kyle Frith, Neal Trahan, Matt Trahan, Hale Trahan, Seth Gastal and Mark Devenport. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Frith, Todd Naquin and Dylan Greene.
She is survived by her son, Gerald Paul Gastal of Cow Island; her two daughters, Paulette Gastal of Abbeville and Melinda Gastal Frith and her husband, Chris of Cow Island; her eight grandchildren, Neal Trahan (Adrienne), Leah Naquin (Todd), Matt Trahan, Gerrett Gastal, Seth Gastal and his companion, (Jacie), Kyle Frith (Tori), Ashli Devenport (Mark) and Erin Greene (Dylan); and her ten great grandchildren, Hale and Dane Trahan, Madi Naquin, Arlie, Haies and Adley Devenport, Graelyn and Gentry Greene, Arabella Frith and Maverick Gastal.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Marion Gastal; her second husband, Columbus Hargrave; her parents, Evariste and Edley Derouen; her three brothers, Ferris, Robert, and Beverly Derouen; and her two sisters, Mazie Derouen Laviolette and Brenda Derouen.
Mom your life was a blessing your memory a treasure…You are loved beyond words and will be missed by your children and grandchildren beyond measure.
The family would like to extend a debt of gratitude to the caring and compassionate staff at Pelican Pointe Healthcare and Rehabilitation for the wonderful care and of loving of our mom for the last seven years and to Traditions Hospice for all of their care and support for the last year.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Kaplan, 300 N. Eleazar Ave., on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 6:00 PM; Wednesday, September 1, 2021 from 8:00 AM until the procession departs for the church at 10:30 AM.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Hargrave family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.

February 14, 1936 ~ August 25, 2021

ERATH — It is with great sadness that the wife of Elson (Sonny) Joseph Hebert, 85, announces his passing on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 after a very long illness. Elson's wishes are to be cremated immediately upon death and preferred not to have a formal viewing or funeral service on his behalf. He thanks all who prayed for him and visited him during this long period of illness.
He was born on February 14, 1936 in Erath, Louisiana. He served in the U.S. Army for two years serving 18 months of that time in Korea. After being released from the Army he was recalled for the Berlin Crisis (building of the Berlin wall) serving another year. He was a tank driver as well as heavy transport driver serving with the 1st Armored Division, (Old Ironsides) in Korea, and after being recalled was with the 49th Armored Division.
Elson married the love of his life Lois Irene Gillett Hebert on May 7, 1976 and stayed married to her for over 54 years. They lived in the same home in Abbeville, LA for all of their married life.
He worked in the oilfield on oilfield rigs all of his adult life, before and after serving his times in the Army. He went from roustabout, floor hand, derrick hand, driller and finally as a tool pusher for different oilfield companies.
He was a Proud Cajun and lived up to all the aspects of "What is a Cajun"; he loved hard, lived hard and always with a "hello" and a smile.
He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Hebert; mother, Nolia Marie Landry Hebert; brothers Vergie Hebert, Ravila Hebert, Doris Hebert, and Warren Hebert; and sisters, Helen Hebert Romero, Hilda H. Toups, Velma Lou Hebert, and Nell H. Baudoin.
He will be laid to rest in Erath at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery Mausoleum.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

December 27, 1954 ~ August 20, 2021

COW ISLAND — A private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anne Catholic Church honoring the life of David Faulk, 66, who died Friday, August 20, 2021 with his loving wife, Rita Faulk by his side. He will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery with Reverend Matthew Barzare officiating the services.
David and Rita were married for 46 years and were blessed with one son, Jacob. They have been an integral part of the Cow Island community, as well as St. Anne Catholic Church. They often attended weekday mass, weekly holy hours, and were living their faith in Christ together daily. David was president of the St. Anne Church Council, a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a passionate advocate for the Right to Life movement. He attended Cursillo #302, and was a leader of the Men’s Ultreya, as well as a long time attendee at the men’s retreat at Our Lady of the Oaks. He was a great patriot and defender of the truth.
David was a gentle, dependable, and honorable man. He ordered his life according to the Lord’s plan: God first, Rita, then his son and his family, and many friends. David will forever be known for his remarkable gift of woodworking. He spent hours using his craft and gift to help others. His generosity with his talents are priceless to all who were enriched by his creations. He crafted many treasures including St. Anne’s altar, his home, Jacob’s home, and countless projects for his grandchildren and others. He was meticulous about his garden and chickens and was known to share his harvest. He handcrafted rosaries and made particularly special ones for his son’s family. He was an integral part of Greene Acres Tree Farm and was known as the “kind greeter” by all patrons. He spent much time in adoration, prayer, and spiritual reading.
Most of all, David was a servant of God, a devoted husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and friend. He dedicated so much of his time to those he loved most, and “Paw D” will forever be loved and missed by all. He embodied the life of St. Joseph… a humble carpenter who was faithful in all things. He loved the Lord, his wife, his son and his family, and was a selfless giver. David lived his Catholic faith in action, as St. Francis of Assisi taught…“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”
He is survived by his wife, Rita; their son, Jacob; daughter-in-law, Régan; grandsons, Brooks, Perè, and Reis; granddaughters, Ella and Lila; two brothers, Rodney Faulk and Bobby Faulk (Nancy); brothers-in-law, John Greene and Allen Greene (Denise); sisters-in-law, Liz Stelly and Emily Stubbs (Eddie); as well as many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Nora Jo Faulk; his parents, Jean Claude and Edith Faulk; sister-in-law, Annie Faulk; fathers-in-law, Preston Greene and Vincent Habetz; and mother-in-law, Louella Greene Habetz.
The family would like to thank Dr. Randall Faulk and the nurses at Ochsner Abrom Kaplan Memorial for their tender care. Also the utmost gratitude to family, neighbors, and friends for the genuine love and support that they shared with both David and Rita throughout their lives, especially in the most recent days.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan, (337) 643-7276 [Service Information 225-5276]. Condolences may be sent to the Faulk family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.