James "Jimmy" "Chico" Fruge

Lafayette - A Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 11:00 am in St. John Berchmans Catholic Church in Cankton, LA for James “Jimmy” “Chico” Fruge, age 60, who passed away peacefully at his residence on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, in Lafayette, LA. Father Ken Domingue of St. John Berchmans Catholic Church will officiate. Repass will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, directly after the service at Cankton Town Hall in Cankton, LA. James “Jimmy” Fruge, also known as “Chico” was born to Mary Sonnier Fruge on November 14, 1962, in Lafayette, LA and he was a lifelong resident of Acadiana. At a young age, Jimmy was fostered by Viva and Tom Perriou of Parks, LA. From the time of his youth, he felt called to the priesthood, so Viva and Tom saw to it that he was enrolled at the Immaculata Minor Seminary in Lafayette, LA. Once he graduated from Teurlings High School and Immaculata Seminary, he attended St. Joseph Seminary College in Saint Benedict, LA near Covington, LA. Jimmy was a member of the Benedictine community as a Benedictine Monk taking the name “Brother Ephrem” for six years. After he left the Benedictine Monastery, he joined the United States Marine Corps, later joining the United States Army, then Jimmy went on to work for Schlumberger in California. He was an Educator at Teurlings High School for year too. His final place of employment was at Moncla Oil Productions. Wherever he worked or served James developed life-long friends and close contacts. Jimmy “Chico” loved to travel and visited over 30 countries in his lifetime. He worked as a missionary in his teen and young adult life. Jimmy was fiercely independent, but always made time for friends and family. He was an avid reader, and spoke fluent English, Spanish, as well as Creole-French. Jimmy loved Native American anthropology and artifacts, digging and finding Native American pottery and artifacts. Jimmy enjoyed watching the History Channel as well as cooking for his battalion during holidays when he was in the military. His nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer is over. He always said, “I’m not afraid to die. I’ve lived a life few could dream of living”. His faith was strong and he was at peace with God. Jimmy breathed his last on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 8:43 am. We pray that he is in The Lord’s Heavenly Home where there is no more pain, or suffering, and the Lord has wiped the tears from his eyes. Work hard, pray harder, and practice what you preach were his mottos. He believed in God and loved the Catholic faith. James believed in helping others. He could be brutally honest, empathic, and always said what was on his mind. Jimmy was loyal and protective of friends and family. Jimmy is survived by his siblings, Audrey Thomas and Bobby Fruge; his foster siblings, Tina Periou Bulliard and Thomas L. Periou; along with a host of dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Sonnier Fruge and R. Fruge; his siblings, Jerry Fruge and JoAnna Fruge; as well as his foster sister, Gayle Periou Sheuermann. The family wishes to offer a heartfelt thank you to Tina and Bob Periou; Jimmy’s friend for over 40 years and fellow seminarian, Father Ken Domingue; Joe Chappelle, Chelsey John, Andrew, Chad, and all of the Moncla company family and coworkers; Yvette Francis; Catherine Johnson; Acadiana Cares; YDM Management; as well as Hospice of Acadiana for the care and compassion they offered Jimmy and his family during his time of need. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in memory of James “Jimmy” “Chico” Fruge to local charities such as Covenant House, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Gideon Bible Society, or homeless shelters. Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555, (337) 740-3123, is in charge of Cremation arrangements.

James "Jimmy" "Chico" Fruge

November 14, 1962 - November 29, 2022