Ted Gary

Lafayette - A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM in the chapel of Cypress Funeral Home for Ted Gary, age 75, who passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his family, on Monday, March 2, 2026 in Lafayette Louisiana. Pastor Harolyn Ledet will officiate the services. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until service time on Saturday, March 7, 2026 at Cypress Funeral Home. Ted James Gary was born to Vina Corkin and Louie Gary on November 13, 1950. Ted was a 1968 graduate of Jennings High School and went on to enlist in the US Navy at the age of 17. Through the Navy, he attended the University of San Diego in San Diego, CA. He studied Emergency Medicine, Cardiac Response, Pharmacology, and Operating Room procedures. He obtained Military Operating Room Technician and Pharmacy Technician License. Ted earned a rank of E5 Petty Officer 2nd Class and served as a Navy Medical Corpsman with the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions in the Vietnam War. Upon his return to the states, he saved as the ranking NCO of the 3rd Medical Battalion during Pacific Operations in Kodiak, Alaska as a Medical Evacuations Corpsman with special training in childbirth. Between Vietnam and Alaska, Ted delivered 46 babies unassisted. Ted returned home in 1973 and worked for Wildlife and Fisheries and Acadian Ambulance. On July 1, 1980, at the age of 29, Ted was sworn in a Chief Deputy of Jefferson Davis Parish. In 1985 he graduated the FBI Academy in Washington, DC and went on to lead and complete many operations. His passions were riding horses and taking care of others in his community. He made sure the families of incarcerated men had food on the table and presents on Christmas. He truly gave with the biggest heart and never expected anything in return. When life took a turn for Ted, he did what he always did, he learned. This led him into the oil field. Ted would go on to work for Hanover International and help design natural gas pipelines on offshore. He helped develop in Egypt, Dubai, and Africa. Nigeria was very close to his heart. Dad never seen a color or a culture, he seen humans and knew they had to work together to make the difference. Ted lived out his last several years with his daughter and his grandkids. He was surround by love and he knew it. Ted is survived by his daughter, Tara Derouen (Ron); his bonus daughter, Danielle Huval (Buck); eight grandkids: Mike, John, Aaliyah, Mallory, Isabella, Gabriella, Aliana, and Charlie; seven great-grandkids, Helena, Ayla, Carlos, EJ, Josiah, Nyomi, Anami and #8 coming in August 2026; brothers, Dan, Wayne (Sabrina), Paul (Diane) and Glen Gary; and sisters, Rachelle and Pat. He is preceded in death by Vida “Nanna” Gary; his parents, Vina and Louie Gary; his sister, Myra Gary; and his maternal and paternal grandparents. Honorary Pallbearers are Ron Derouen, Eligous Ledet, Al Hebert, Michael Gary, Freddy Roy, Donald Kratzer, Jonathan Gary, and Jamichael Hillery. Interment will follow the services at the Maxie Cemetery in Maxie, Louisiana. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.

Ted Gary

November 13, 1950 - March 2, 2026