E. J. 'Al' Duplantis
August 8, 1925 ~ August 14, 2003
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
E.J. 'Al' Duplantis, 78, passed away August 14, 2003. Survived by his wife of 51 years, Celeste Duplantis; children, Marcia (Tony) Sefcovic of Pueblo, Roxanne Hatfield of Phoenix, AZ, Marie (Craig) Webb of Colorado Springs and Paul (Sharron) Duplantis of Phoenix; grandchildren, Jennifer Hatfield, Callie and McKenzie Sefcovic, Irene Webb and Vaughn Duplantis; brother, Paul J. (Helen) Duplantis of Port Neches, TX; brother-in-law, Benny (Elodia) Bell of Las Cruces, NM; sisters-in-law, Louise Artz of Battle Creek, MI, Madeline (James) Jones Alexandria, LA and Yvonne (Bob) Thomas of Jamestown, NC; numerous nieces and nephews. Al was born August 8, 1925, in Abbeville, LA and served in the U.S. Army as a medic during WWII. For 39 years, he managed several Montgomery Wards department stores including the Pueblo store from 1975 until his retirement in 1988. He was an active member and usher for Christ the King Church. Al was very committed to the Pueblo community and was past president of United Way, served on the Boards of Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, Colorado National Bank, Colorado State Fair and State Retailers Association, and was on the advisory Board of Assistance League of Pueblo. Al was also an avid golfer and enjoyed daily walks with his wife. As per his request, there will be no viewing. Funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m. Monday, August 18, 2003, in the parish hall at Christ the King Church, 1708 Horseshoe, with the Rev. Father Tom Adrians as celebrant. Military honors by Pueblo Veterans Ritual Team and interment will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to DAV, through the funeral home.
I worked for Mr. Duplantis from 1983 thru 1987. He was a tough manager and ran a tight ship. I learned alot from him. I send my condolences to his family.
I am very sorry to hear what has happen to your father, and father-in-law. There are no words to make the times feel better at this time, but I just want you to know that Marcia, Tony you are two very special people and I feel for you and your family. My deepest sympathies, John Navara
We are going to miss our good friend Al.
I missed playing golf with AL after many years at the club.
His death is hard to believe as he was so active. Mary and I give our condolances to the family. We will always remember Al. Love to you all.
Words can not express our feelings of sadness over Uncle Al’s death. We wish we could be there with you during this tragic time. Stay strong knowing you are in the thoughts and prayers of many. We love you!
Love,
Shawn, Heather, Gage, Anita, and Brittny
I had the privledge to work with Mr Duplantis at Montgomery Wards> he may have been a small man in stature but he layed a big shadow. All who worked with him will remember him as a man who gave credit where credit was do. I remember him looking out into his store with his hands on his hips looking above his glasses. He always made sure the store looked like diamonds before the first customer came in. He took pride in the appearence of his store and would stop to pick up any little piece of paper from the floor. It was on one of these sudden stops that I will always remember. I was walking in from the Mall one day walking behind Mr Duplantis when he all of a sudden bent over to pick up a piece of paper from the floor I was not paying attention to what I was doing and flipped over him. Well there we were seating on the floor looking at each other. I was scared he was going to yell at me. But he did’nt he laughed and helped me up. Everytime I pass that spot I will hear his laugh. I hope this story will bring a smile in this time of sorrow. He truly was a great man.
Susie Torres-Paint Department