Donald Ray Chaisson, age 75, of Welsh, La., went to be home with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2022. Donald was born Sept. 8, 1947, to parents Polly and Elise Chaisson in Welsh, La. He grew up in Pine Island, La., and was a proud Welsh native.
Donald married the love of his life, Barbara, on May 28, 1966. Donald loved his family and once he had grandchildren he was never seen on a weekend without one of them in tow and usually they were riding four wheelers. Family time was always of utmost importance to him. He was known as a kind, loving man who never met a stranger and would help anyone in need. When anyone came to visit they always left with a bag of fresh vegetables from his garden, a kind word, and a smile.
Donald was a proud member of the Lake Charles local 198 Plumbers/Pipefitter’s Union. His family very fondly remembers a time he and his brothers utilized his craft by welding a pit to cook a “Couchon Du Lait.” He was known to be a hard worker, that also had a great sense of humor and always enjoyed playing pranks on his coworkers.
Donald was a gentleman of many hobbies that included gardening (he and his brothers grew every vegetable that could grow in Louisiana), raising cows, chickens, ducks, and geese. He had a crawfish pond he tended to on top of raising livestock. Donald liked to work on his tractors that could be qualified as an antique pieces of machinery. Donald loved the outdoors and often took his family camping at Bundicks Lake and Holly Beach in their camper. He also liked to go fishing, crabbing and hunting.
He is welcomed into heaven by his parents; his brother, Hewitt Chaisson; and brother-in-law, Randy Soileau.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Barbara Chaisson of Welsh, La.; daughters, Donna Rene’ Collins and husband Randy of Welsh, La.; Melanie Kay Miller, Farmersville, Texas; son, Darrell James Chaisson of Lake Charles, La.; Laura “Lolly” Hendrickson and husband James “Jasper” of Lake Charles, La.; daughter-in-law, Thomasena Chaisson of Lacassine, La.; brothers, Claude Chaisson and wife Annette of Welsh, La.; Robert Chaisson of Pine Island, La.; Roger Chaisson and wife Donnalen of Pine Island, La.; sister, Barbara Soileau of Lake Charles, La.; sister-in-law, Linda Chaisson of Pine Island, La.; 16 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Donald Ray Chaisson will be held on Oct. 15, 2022, at Welsh Hixson funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m.
A graveside service will follow at Pine Island Cemetery in Welsh, La.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonwelsh.com for the Chaisson family.