Elton J. Duhon passed away on Oct. 13, 2020, at 94, after a very long and very full life.

He was a devout Catholic, a rabid LSU fan and a fierce champion of justice and fairness. But most of all he was a loving husband, father, pawpaw and great-pawpaw.

He spent his life fighting the good fight, first as an 18-year-old combat MP in World War II and then for the rest of his days as a supporter of good causes and progressive candidates. He was the ultimate "good Democrat" (his phrase) and enjoyed sparring with conservative friends and relatives.

Elton was born in Vinton, La., in 1926 and was so proud of his Cajun heritage. When he was young, children were scolded and hit in school for speaking Cajun French. As his culture became more accepted and even trendy, he enjoyed his role as teller of old stories and maker of gumbo.

He married Melda Faye Dietz in 1947 and they cherished their 66 years together before she passed away in 2013. They raised nine children, which made their home a loud and messy place, but it was also full of love and books and music. They passed on their love of travel, their emphasis on education, their passion for good food and their belief that family is everything. The deaths of their sons Rusty and Brad devastated them.

Elton attended McNeese Junior College and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1949 with bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. He worked primarily as a design engineer in the oil refinery industry, retiring from Cities Service (Citgo) in the mid-1980s.

Elton and Melda spent most of their lives in Lake Charles, La., surrounded by a huge extended family, lifelong friends and tall pines. They were founding members of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. In 1995 they moved to Mathews County, Va., to be closer to more of their widespread immediate family. There, Elton was a member of the Mathews American Legion post, and together they attended St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church and participated in the West Mathews Community League.

In 2014, Elton moved to Hampton, Va., to live with his daughter Sylvia. There, he attended at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Buckroe.

Elton is survived by his children: Ferris Duhon (Ruta), Marvant Duhon (Susan), David Duhon (Laurie Shaffer), Kathy Duhon (Bruce Squiers), Kevil Duhon (Kathy Crown), Pierre Duhon (Paula) and Sylvia Duhon (Robin McCormick), as well as Brad's widow, Melinda Olds. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren: Theresa Duhon (Takashi Yokoyama), Matiss Duhon (Bec Snook, with Audra and Atticus), Russell Duhon (Chang Liu), Julie Duhon (Tom Mathai, with Abigail, Antony and Eleanor), Kendra Bauer (Jace), Cassidy Duhon (Dan Carter), Amanda Duhon, Anna Duhon (Paul Rix, with Adrianna), Will Greene (Mirage, with Spruce), Matt Greene-DeLanghe (Kimberly, with Isaac and Oscar), Clara Duhon, Margaret Duhon, Agenor Duhon, Phaedra Duhon, Sarah Olds, Brad Duhon (Vanessa), Sam McCormick and John Michael McCormick. He is also survived by Jon Greene, Cindy Gebhard and A.J. Plunkett.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Smithers Memorial Cemetery in the Cobbs Creek area of Mathews County. Arrangements are through R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home in Hampton, but there will be no visitation due to the current pandemic.

Elton was a practical man and rarely sent flowers for people who had passed away; he believed they were for the living. If you wish to honor him, please consider helping his beloved Louisiana, which is reeling from two hurricanes, by making a donation to the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana ( https://www.foundationswla.org ). He would also encourage you to vote.