Neal Horaist

A Christian Service will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the American Legion Home in Abbeville, La., at 11:30 a.m., honoring Neal Horaist, 77.
Visitation will occur at the American Legion Home from 9 a.m. until service time. Following the service, a Marine service and 21-gun salute with Taps will be held outside the Legion Home, and refreshments will follow. Neal’s ashes will be scattered later in North Louisiana at the Backwoods Hunting Club, where he loved hunting deer and turkey.
Following a brief hospital stay, Neal died peacefully in his sleep at home on Sunday, April 30. Neal was a family and community leader throughout his life. He was president of the Louisiana Cattle Festival for many years and president of the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals in 1997. Neal loved hunting, going to the casino, judging pageants, spending time with his grandchildren, and doing as much as possible with the American Legion in Abbeville. After graduating from Sunset High School in 1963, he attained an Associate’s Degree from Coyne Electrical College in Chicago, Illinois.
During the Vietnam War Era, Neal served his country as a United States Marine. Although he was never called for duty in Vietnam, he was proud of the fact that he was a Marine. Semper Fi!!
Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Helen Horaist; his brother, Ronnie Horaist; and his brother-in-law, Roy Theriot Jr.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barbara Theriot Horaist; brother-in-law, Sammy Theriot (Mary); sister, Susan Brinkhaus (Armand); brother, Joey Horaist (Brenda); brother, Felix Horaist Jr. (Laura); sister, Lynn Venable; and twin sisters, Nell and Dell. He is also survived by son Jerrell Horaist (Jackie); son Christopher DeBlanc (Maria); and son, Mike DeBlanc (Christian). His surviving grandchildren are Andrew Horaist, CJ DeBlanc (Morgan), Layla DeBlanc-Vasquez, Kaden DeBlanc, Olivia DeBlanc, Mason DeBlanc, and great-granddaughter Aloriana DeBlanc.
Neal was presently working part-time for Potty Girl and had worked for Roy Young for many years. Neal’s family would like to thank the compassionate staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Dr. Jacob Karr and Dr. Frank Courmier, along with priests who performed the Anointing of the Sick rites.