Ferdinand J "Mr. Ferd (Paw-Paw)" Dinvaut III Obituary (1932 - 2020)

Ferdinand J. Dinvaut, III, 87, who passed away on Friday, January 31, 2020, at St. Joseph Hospice Carpenter House in River Ridge, LA after a brief illness. Ferdinand was born on June 1, 1932. He was a native and resident of Edgard, LA. Though he spent most of his life as a resident of New Orleans, he returned to his hometown after Hurricane Katrina in 2007. Ferdinand was also a United States Army Veteran, where he served as a Corporal in Germany for four years until he was honorably discharged. Ferdinand graduated from Southern University of New Orleans, where he received a bachelor of science degree in Mathematics. He enjoyed a career as a Mathematics teacher before joining the Boeing Company. As an engineer, he worked as part of a team that was instrumental in sending three astronauts to the moon. For his work, he received the Zero Defect Level IV award and his name is listed in the Apollo/Saturn V Roll of Honor which is housed in the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. In 1970 he left Boeing to join Texaco. Inc. He continued his work as a petroleum engineer before retiring after twenty-three years of loyal service. His retirement was short, however. Sparked by his continuing dedication to being of service he returned to work by joining the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Department. He worked in Judge Calvin Johnson's chambers for three years before retiring for good. In his remaining years, Ferd, as he was affectionately called by those who knew him, took the opportunity to do the things he loved. It was not uncommon to find him spending time with his grandchildren by helping them with homework, playing basketball with them in the backyard, or participating in the many walk-a-thons or 5K races throughout New Orleans. He also took great pride in his beautifully manicured lawn. Everyone throughout the neighborhood knew to "Keep off the grass", at Ferd's house! Ferdinand was a man who enjoyed the simple things in life. Those who knew him knew that above all he cherished God and family. He was aware of how frantic life could be, and he never missed an opportunity to let those he loved that life was precious and to be enjoyed. He always cautioned us to "wait awhile", and "calm down", so that we might enjoy the fullness of our lives the way he did. He leaves to cherish his devoted and loving wife of 58 years Philomena, their children, Demetria Maria Lee (Michael), Danette Marie Simmons, Danita Marie Bellaire, Dr. Grace Dinvaut (Benoit), and Dwaine Nicholas Dinvaut (Yvette), 13 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren, three sisters, Rosemary Sorapuru, Jacqueline Rousseve, Beverly Harris (Yale), numerous nieces, nephews, a host of relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Fernand N. Dinvaut, II, Luella Bailey, two brothers, Mullin and Rudolph, sister-in-law Cornie Dinvaut (Rudolph), two brothers-in-law Leroy Sorapuru and Maurice Rousserve, Sr., and a son-in-law, Wendell B. Simmons (Danette). A mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, February 7, 2020, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2349 LA-18, Edgard, LA 70049 at 10:00 am, Father Robustiano Morgia, Officiant. Visitation will begin at 8:00 am. Entombment at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery. Final care has been entrusted to Treasures of Life Funeral Services, 315 E. Airline Highway Gramercy, LA 70052. "When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a TREASURE!"