Lafayette - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at 10:30 am at St. Patrick Catholic Church, (406 E. Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, LA 70501) for Ronald James Dartez, 79, who passed away on Saturday, May 6th, 2023.  

Visitation services will be held on Thursday, May 11th, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Lafayette.

Fr. Joshua Guillory will officiate at the Memorial Mass.

Inurnment will follow at Lafayette Memorial Park.

Ron was a loving husband to Neppie Dartez and was admired by his family and many friends. He served in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge. Ron loved his country and felt honored to have served it.

He was a graduate of Cathedral High School and attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he studied Criminal Justice.  Ron furthered his education by completing Specialty Areas - Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Crime Prevention from the University of Texas-El Paso alongside International Certification in Crime Prevention.

He had an extensive career history that included working for eight years in banking, five years in car sales, three years with Lafayette City Police Department and 13 years with Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Department. Ron was selected to represent Lafayette in France. A delegation of Louisiana police started touring France to promote the 100th anniversary with a model of the Statue of Liberty. He was honored to be the first donor for the 100th Club of Acadiana, which has been established for police officers and firefighters. The brotherhood of the police force was always special to him. Ron also worked as Safety Consultant at Omni Geophysical Drilling for 3 years, Mario Associates for two years; J. Girard Black and Associates for one year; Acadiana Security Plus Alarms for 3 years in addition to his law enforcement career. He also obtained his Louisiana Real Estate License.

He was an avid fisherman. Thursday nights were spent with the "ROMEO" group (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Ron played Bourrée with several groups, but Fridays were his favorite games. He attended many UL Lady Cajun Softball games. He was their biggest fan and he knew all of the girls by name. When he was in high school, he ran track and would often assist with track and field events at UL. Tuesdays you could find him at Tabuleh Restaurant with his friends. Ron spoke French when until he entered school then he learned English. He also spoke Spanish where he spoke it often at La Fonda's where his picture is painted on their wall. On a weekly basis, he went to his favorite place for ice cream, Borden's Ice Cream Shoppe. 

Ron was an avid car collector and he loved being a member of the Corvette Club and showing cars at different car shows.

His greatest accomplishment and favorite time spent was with his great granddaughter, Katherine, who lovingly calls him "Papa Ron".

He was known for his kindness, compassion towards others, family values and generosity towards his friends. He truly never met a stranger and was taught at young age to acknowledge and speak to everyone he met. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He leaves behind his wife, Neppie Dartez; step-daughters, Shawn Russo (Mark), Shannon Richard (Shawn), and Shelly Landry; cousin, Maxime A. Verot (Anita); grandchildren, Hailey Faul, Braden Doucet, Noah Richard, and Garret Russo; and a great-grandchild, Katherine Grace Aranda.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Oles and Ruby Broussard Dartez; his first wife, Patricia Lynn Pierce Dartez; and his infant brother, Gerald James Dartez.

May the soul of Ron rest in peace and let us remember him for his dedication to serving his community, love for his country, commitment to family and kindness towards others.

Pellerin Funeral Home (337-332-2111) is in charge of arrangemen