Thursday, October 25, 2012

Obituary: Kenneth Lee Guidry

 
Kenneth Lee Guidry


January 28, 1942 ~ October 24, 2012

Abbeville—Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 27, 2012 at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville honoring the life of Kenneth Lee Guidry, 70, who passed away on Wednesday, October 24, 2012.

Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery in Abbeville, LA. Pastor John Vining of Abbeville United Methodist Church will conduct the service.

He is survived by his wife, Claire Tessier Guidry of Abbeville; two step-children, Kelly Barras Broussard and her husband Marc of Broussard and Jeb Barras and his wife Anna of Abbeville; two step -grandchildren, Amelie Anne and Camille Catherine Broussard; one brother, Donald Guidry and wife Marla of Lafayette; and three nephews, Shannon, Jason and Lee.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marion “MG” Guidry and the former Irma Smith Guidry.

Ken graduated from Abbeville High School in 1960. He started flying lessons at Paul Fournet Flying Service in Lafayette and later became and an instructor there.

In 1961 he went to Embry Riddle Flight School to study in Miami, Florida. He got his commercial license and started crop-dusting in 1962. At that time he went to work for Hanks and Cormier Flying Service in Kaplan, LA. He also flew for Summerall Flying Service in Ferriday, LA where he sprayed cotton piloting an N3N.

In 1969 he became the owner of Victory Flyers Inc. and over the next thirty years he purchased Gueydan Flying Service, Will’s Flying Service, Chris Crusta Flying Service and Harrington’s Flying Service. He went on to eventually own five turbine GRUMAN AG-Cats. In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s he was the 2nd largest AG-Cat operator in the United States.

Ken also became an Aerobatic Pilot under the direction of Duane Cole. He enjoyed taking friends flying and performing aerobatic stunts in his Stearman Biplane. Participating in the yearly Stearman Fly-In and conversing with friends and fellow pilots from around the US was a favorite pastime.

Along with flying, Ken had many other pastimes. He became certified in scuba diving taking many fishing and diving trips aboard his boat the SKY 1. He also began breeding Registered Percheron Horses which are a draft breed rarely seen in Louisiana. He had a strong love for animals and on occasion would take his dogs flying with him.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles Street, on Saturday, October 27, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m.

The family would like to give their thanks to Amedysis Hospice and the many doctors and nurses who cared for him over the years.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be sent to Abbeville United Methodist Church, 213 North State Street, Abbeville, LA 70510.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincent-abbeville.com.

All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville (337) 893-4661.

Read more: VermilionToday.com - Kenneth Lee Guidry

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