Matthias "Jimmy" James Fruge Jr.

Matthias “Jimmy” Fruge loving father, grandfather and great grandfather died on Friday, May 1, 2015. He was born in Eunice, LA to Matthias James Fruge and Ethel Manuel Fruge on September 15, 1924.
The theme of his life was service to his God, to his family and to his community like many members of “The Greatest Generation”. He graduated from Eunice High School in 1941. After graduation he began college at LSU, Baton Rouge. Shortly after WWII broke out he enlisted in the army and served with distinction in Austria, Czechoslovakia and Germany. After an honorable discharge from the service he continued to serve his country in the Louisiana National Guard. He was a member of the American Legion and served as adjutant for one year. He was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served as Quartermaster.
In his long life of community service Mr. Fruge was past president of the Lion’s Club, a Charter member of the Eunice Jaycees, Rotary club and an organizer of the 75th celebration of the founding of Eunice.
His love for his Creator was lived out in service to St Anthony Parish in Eunice where he served as president of the parish council, lector at Mass, Eucharistic minister, CCD teacher, RCIA instructor and usher. He organized the St. Edmunds High School marching unit and served as president of St. Ed’s PTA, plus numerous volunteer activities with the parish. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus.
Mr. Jimmy was a visible member of the City of Eunice in his long career as a banker for 47 years, holding the positions of CEO at Acadiana Bank and Vice President at Tri Parish and First Bank of Eunice until he retired in 1989.
Throughout his life Jimmy thought of himself as many things; father, husband, grandfather, businessman, church member, woodworker, photographer and a citizen of Eunice. His love for the city and its history consumed much of his time in retirement. He interviewed and videotaped elder members of the community to record their memories of the city. He also photographed and wrote commentaries of the old houses and buildings dating back to its founding. He did not want this history to be lost. These documents are stored at LSUE and the Eunice Public Library. He was a friend to every person he met, respected as a member of the community and by his family and friends. Those wishing to honor his memory are asked to send donations to the St. Edmund’s development fund.
He is survived by his loving children, Mat Fruge III, Lydia F. Fontenot and Janene F. Cormier and her husband, Bryant all of Eunice; six grandchildren, Heather C. Clavier and her husband, Kevin, Connor, Madison and Zac Cormier, Mary Katherine Bertrand and her husband, Brett, and Lauren Landry and her husband, Josh; three great grandchildren, Tyler, Austin and Noah Bertrand.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Matthias and Ethel Manuel Fruge; his first wife, Irene Berzas Fruge and second wife, Jaqueline Bell Fruge; a daughter, Charlotte Fruge and a brother, Dr. Benny Fruge.
A Memorial Mass will be Celebrated at 2:00 pm on Monday, May 4, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Fr. Dustin Dought Celebrant. Inurnment will follow in the Miller Cemetery.