John Duco, Jr.

A funeral service celebrating the life of John Duco, Jr., 96, will be held Monday, April 30, 2018, at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Coushattta with Dr. Nathan Davis officiating assisted by Brother Truett Dodd Brown. Interment will follow at the Springville Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Kilpatrick's Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Coushatta. John, Johnny, Uncle Johnny, Cuz, was born February 10, 1922 in Hanna, Louisiana and was the oldest son of John Duco and Myra Booth Duco. John graduated from Coushatta High School in 1939 and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 proudly serving his country during WWII until 1945. He was part of the nucleus crew of the USS William M. Wood, DD-715 and continued to carry his government-issued Liberty ship card in his wallet until his death. After his service to his country, Johnny returned home to join his father in the operation of Duco Store and the farm. After his father's death, John and his brother Eugene continued to operate Duco store and raise cattle. Through the years, John expanded his farming operation to grow cotton, soybeans and hay, operated an Exxon service station, established and operated a catfish farm and owned Catfish Bend Restaurant in Hanna, Louisiana. Johnny's love for people was evident as he greeted scores of restaurant patrons with a smile, handshake and a story or two while serving some of the most delicious seafood is the area at that time. Johnny also worked for the Department of Natural Resources as an Oil and Gas Inspector for 20 years where he continued to expand his broad base of friends. John married the love of his life, Laura Smith Duco on August 5, 1950 and they shared 67 happy years together. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother, Eugene Booth Duco and sister-in-law, Ann Rutledge Duco; nephew, Eugene B. Duco, Jr.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, William "Rod" and Pluma Smith; and brother-in-law, Harry B. Moore. He is survived by his wife, Laura Smith Duco, daughters Diana Duco Eberhard and husband John of Midland Texas and Laura Duco Sams and husband Lewis of Coushatta, Louisiana, grandchildren, Erin Eberhard Erger and husband Rob of Spring, Texas, Rachel Eberhard of Dallas Texas, Hanna Sams of Coushatta Louisiana, John Lewis Sams and fiance' Hannah Johnson of Coushatta and Shreveport. He is also survived by sister-in-law Betty Smith Moore of Shreveport, Louisiana, three nieces, one nephew and their children and grandchildren. John accepted Christ at the age of 15 and was baptized at First Baptist Church in Coushatta on May 30, 1937. Johnny loved his First Baptist church family and was faithful in leading his own family as well as many friends into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Active in civic and community affairs, he was a Boy Scout achieving the rank of Life Scout, a Shriner and member of the Scottish Rite, El Karubah Shrine Temple in Shreveport, American Legion member for over 65 years, serving in all positions including Commander Post 118. He received the Fidelity Award in recognition of his 68 years of service to the Masonic Fraternity. John served on the Town Council, A.S.C.S. Committeeman, Farm Bureau President, Springville Cemetery Committee and was a Charter Member of the Coushatta Country Club. John had an optimistic outlook about life. He believed in hard work but always made time to have lots of fun along the way. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, playing his French harp and cooking for friends and family. His baked beans were legendary. He had a natural ear for music and loved to dance. He relished spending time with his two girls, his son-in-laws and grandchildren telling colorful stories about Navy life and growing up in rural Hanna, Louisiana. "Well done My good and faithful servant." From our hearts, the John Duco family would like to thank Dr. Wyche T. Coleman for a lifetime of love and friendship along with his staff at Coushatta Christus Hospital. The family also extends their gratitude to Dr. Rodney Reeves of Shreveport, the staff of Louisiana Homecare, Advantage Home Health and caregivers Minnie, Sonya and Georgia.