Obituary: W. Paul “Bubba” Trahan – Baseball 1966-69 – November 19, 2015

W. Paul "Bubba" Trahan

May 2, 1947 ~ November 19, 2015

 

ABBEVILLE – Funeral services will be held for W. Paul "Bubba" Trahan, 68, at 2pm on Monday, November 23, 2015, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville with Father Louis Richard as the celebrant. Burial will follow in the family’s Hebert Cemetery on Sweetbay Road in Abbeville.

Mr. Trahan, a native of Vermilion Parish and longtime resident of Lafayette Parish, died at 3:05pm on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans following a brief and victorious bout with leukemia in April, 2015 and what appeared to be a very successful July 8th stem cell transplant recovery. Complications and setbacks (Graft vs. Host Disease) led to another very unexpected hospitalization on October 16th when he began the battle of a lifetime.

Bubba was a 1965 graduate of Abbeville High School and a 1970 Business graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL, Lafayette). He was a noted baseball player from Little League thru Babe Ruth thru high school and college. He played various positions but was best known as a catcher for the then-named USL Bulldogs. He was a member of the 1962 Babe Ruth State Championship Team, the 1965 Abbeville High School Wildcat 5-AA District Championship Team, and was named All-Gulf State Conference Catcher in 1968 while at USL. He also played football for the Abbeville High School Wildcats. His baseball and football careers and the coaching he received from the likes of Coach Sam Scelfo, Coach J. Y. Mula, and Coach Bobby Banna shaped his attitude, his discipline, and his approach to life. He was one of the "good guys".

He spent many years as a baseball and soccer coach with Lafayette’s youth leagues and was affectionately called "Coach Bubba" by many. His emphasis on the discipline, team work, good sportsmanship, and life skills that participation in sports teaches was well known by his children and players. It is ironic that ‘sports’ was his first reference when coming out from under after the stem cell transplant. He opened his eyes and his first comment was, "You know, they say that practice makes perfect, but that is not true. Coach Scelfo says it is perfect practice that makes perfect".

His twinkle in those gorgeous blue eyes, his dimples in his cheeks, his love of people, his talent for telling jokes/stories, and his fondness for feeding a crowd made him perfect for his life’s work as an oilfield sales rep. He loved spending time on "The Farm" even though a lot of that time was spent mowing grass. He always said his headstone should read "Here lies Bubba; he worked and he mowed".

Left to hold tight to his memory and spirit are his wife of 44 years, Linda Meyers Trahan, and his three children, Damon Paul Trahan of Houston, TX; Koby Paul Trahan and his wife Nicole Boudreaux Trahan of Lafayette; and Brittany Trahan of Los Angeles, CA. He is also survived by his five grandchildren…Adam Paul Trahan, Catherine Grace Trahan, Evan Paul Trahan, Tagg James Trahan, and Stacie Lynn "CeCe" Trahan.

He is also survived by his brother, Jabian "Jay" Trahan and wife, Rebecca "Becky" Broussard Trahan and two nephews, Kevin (Leah) Trahan and David (Ellen) Trahan of the Houston, TX area.

He was preceded in death by his father, W. P. "Bill" Trahan; his mother, Jeannette "Jane" Trahan; and an infant brother, James; as well as his paternal grandparents, Henry Otto Trahan and Modeste Broussard Trahan and his maternal grandparents, Alphonse Mouton and Nita LeMaire Mouton. He was also preceded in death by his father-in-law, Curtis Meyers, and by a very special Odile Trahan, who lived with his family for all of his childhood and beyond. The reunion in heaven on Thursday afternoon between he and Odile must have been something to see. We know they are cooking for everyone and still discussing all of the ‘secret ingredients’ she used but never revealed.

Pallbearers will be Jay Trahan, Damon Trahan, Koby Trahan, Kevin Trahan, David Trahan, Todd Platt, Chuck Reynolds, and Alex Strenge. Honorary pallbearers are Tommie Rogers, Kenneth Broussard, Ron Guidry, Gooney Hebert, Craig Ortego, Dan Bloomer, Kern Meyers, David Rogers, Kelly Rogers, Matt Rogers, Mike Sheffield, and Tommy Marshall. Presentation of the gifts during the funeral mass will be done by his five grandchildren and Nicole Trahan and Mary Rogers. Readings will be presented by Carita Pearce and Kyla Rogers. Musical selections will be sung by John Luquette accompanied by St. Mary Magadalen’s organist, Tommy Guidry.

Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville is handling arrangements. Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, Nov 22 from 3pm until 9pm with a rosary at 7pm and again on Monday, Nov 23 from 10am until 1:45pm when the procession will depart for church.

"The Bubba" will be missed by many.

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.

Athletic Network Footnote by Ed Dugas.
Click here for Bubba’s Athletic Network Profile.
Click here for the 1969 Baseball Photo Gallery which features Bubba and his teammates.
Galleries for 1966-68 are also posted.

Appreciation is expressed to teammate Charlie Bordes for sending the Obituary to the AN.
Teammwork – it continues in many ways for a long time. Thank you Charlie.

The AN extends its condolences to his family and friends.