Donald James Borel

Abbeville - A mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026 at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Abbeville for Donald James Borel, age 85, who passed away on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in Abbeville. Fr. Danny Picard will be the celebrant. He was born on January 28th, 1940 to O’Neil Joseph and Ruby Landry Borel. Donald attended Mount Carmel Elementary, Abbeville High School and USL, where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Throughout his professional career, he worked for Steen’s Syrup Mill, Shell Oil, Coastal Chemical Company and several oil field companies before transitioning to automotive sales and ending his career as a bus driver for Vermilion Parish School Board. Donald was a member of the VC Boosters, Kiwanis, Lions Club and Jaycee's where he served as a Representative to the Louisiana Jaycee’s. He served two terms as the Secretary-Treasurer of Lafayette Chapter of Gas Processors Association. He was an early member of the Abbey Players, where he was also an actor in several productions. Embracing his love of community and music, he was a founding member of The Fa Tras, a Cajun Show Band conceived by friends for fun. The Fa-Tras played many festivals, including a charity event for St Jude’s Hospital. He loved golf and tennis, Saints football, music, dancing, gardening, and had a deep lifetime love of horses and dogs. Donald is survived by his only child, Erin Elizabeth Borel; his siblings, Deanna Borel Purpera, Neil Borel, Millie Borel Williams, Janice Borel Penn and Camille Borel Sellers; his nieces and nephews, Gina Purpera, Blair Purpera, Jamie Purpera, Garrett Borel, Mallory Borel Andrepont, Nicole Williams, Ryan Williams, Caffery Penn, Alex Penn, Cody Sellers, Hilary Sellers Dunham, Michael Stokes, Clint Stokes, Lisa Stokes, Dannon Stokes, Patrick Stokes, and Ashley Stokes DeHart; as well as his many many many cousins whom he considered friends as well. He was preceded in death by his parents, O’Neil Borel and Ruby Landry Borel; his infant brother, Paul Borel; as well as his former spouse, Elizabeth Stokes Borel. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.

Donald James Borel

January 28, 1940 - January 3, 2026