James "Jim" Trahan

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Edmond Catholic Church on Friday, June 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. for James “Jim” Trahan, 82, who passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The Rev. Gilbert Dutel will officiate the ceremony. Lectors will be Sandra Davidson and Kristen Gaudin. Gift bearers are Caroline Gaudin, Chandler Gaudin, Katherine Gaudin, and Rachel Reese.  Interment will be in Fountain Memorial Gardens immediately following services.

Visitation hours will be observed at Walters Funeral Home on Thursday, June 25, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., and resume on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. A rosary will be prayed at the funeral home on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m.

James is survived by his wife of 59 years, Cynthia Simar Trahan of Lafayette; two daughters, Jaimee Gaudin (Robert) of Lafayette, and Julie Reese (Scott) of Cumming, GA; five grandchildren, Kristen Gaudin, Katherine Gaudin, Caroline Gaudin, Collin Reese, and Rachel Reese; one sister, Priscilla Janise of Lafayette; and his sister-in-law, Judy Trahan of Lafayette.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Claby and Nighty Broussard Trahan; one sister, Betty Trahan Roy; one brother, Donald Trahan; and two brothers-in-law, Allen Janise and Julien Roy.

Born in Rayne, LA, James received his B.S. in Agriculture from USL, and a M.S. in Agriculture from LSU. In 2009 he retired after 41 years with the U.S.D.A. Farm Service Agency as Director in Lafayette and St. Martin Parishes. Over the years he won numerous local, state, and national awards. Many were for his outstanding informational programs. He was a regular weekly guest on KLFY-TV’s Passe Partout for some 30 years, and wrote a weekly news column for the Lafayette Daily Advertiser for 35 years. The Louisiana Farm Bureau named him it’s Agricultural Communicator of the Year in 2005.  He played a key role within the Farm Service Agency. He trained 25 people who have become County Executive Directors in other parishes and led management training classes in other parts of the state and country.

The Trahan’s are charter members of St. Edmond Catholic Church in Lafayette. He served the church as Trustee, Lector, and a member of the Finance Committee. He is also a 3rd degree member of the St. Edmond Knights of Columbus. Trahan was also inducted by the Acadian Museum into it’s “Order of Living Legends” in 2009.

Pallbearers will be Sean-Michael Brady, Rob Gaudin, Collin Reese, Scott Reese, and Matt Trahan. Honorary pallbearers are Curtis Simar and Donald Simar.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice of Acadiana and Avanti Senior Living.

Walters Funeral Home, (337) 706-8941, 2424 North University Avenue in Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.