SHREVEPORT , LA - On July 1, 1936, in Bunkie , Louisiana , Carl Philip Escudé was born to Benjamin Leon and Saphora Laborde Escudé. On June 23, 2012, in Shreveport , Louisiana , Carl joined his parents and his sister, Gloria Escudé West, in eternal rest. The lives of his wife, immediate family, and nephews; Leon West of Alexandria , Louisiana , and Carl Morfeld of San Francisco , California , have become a little less bright with his absence.

Carl battled Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease with the same spirit he lived his life - directly, honestly, and openly. He never lost his faith and never felt the victim.

Carl was baptized and confirmed at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Bunkie , Louisiana , where he attended St. Anthony's Elementary School and graduated from Bunkie High School in 1954. After spending a year at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette , Carl joined the United States Air Force in 1955

While stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio , Texas , he met and married his wife of 55 years, Bobby Hammons Escudé. They are the parents of John Patrick (Leah), Michael Anthony (Terri), Paul Andrew, Philip Ernest (Lauren) Escudé and Julia Escudé Brooks (Tommie), as well as the grandparents of eleven, much-loved grandchildren.

In 1961, Carl went to work for Hemingway's Furniture Company in Alexandria , Louisiana , and a life-long career was born. He began as a helper to the driver of a delivery truck and worked his way up through every department of the furniture business until he became the owner of his own store, New York Furniture Company. It was an occupation in which he thrived and deeply enjoyed. He loved when people would stop him and say, "You're the shouting from the roof-top man!" He ran his business with honesty, integrity and with a true respect for his customers and employees. Early in his furniture career, Carl was a member of and successful speaker with the Bossier Toastmasters Club where he received numerous recognitions and awards. He was also a member of the Louisiana Retailers Association and in 1982, was the Louisiana Retailers Salesman of the Year.

Carl was a faithful supporter and member of St. Joseph 's Catholic Church where he served in many ways. He served for several years on the church's board and on its parish council. He looked forward to his hour of adoration each Thursday evening and his annual retreats to the Manresa House in Convent, Louisiana . He was a past member of the Knights of Columbus and a supporter of such charities as St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Christian Service Program, Meals-on-Wheels, and the Salvation Army.

Carl was unpretentious and not absorbed with material trappings. He was a "what you see is what you get" fellow and was always happy for the success of others. He looked forward to the annual family vacations to Gulf Shores , Alabama , where he spent leisure time and shared experiences with the family he loved so dearly. His affection towards nature was obvious through his love for the beach and the mountains, and through playing tennis, golf, snow skiing, sailing, and going to the horse races.

Thank you, Peyton Childs and Blanton Cooper for always being only a phone call away. As for the rest of the "Friday Lunch Bunch," thank you for the love and the joy you brought into his life.

Our heartfelt gratitude is extended to Dr. Gurleen S. Sikand, MD, and Dr. S. Germain Cassiere, MD, who walked this eight-year journey with us. Thank you, Louise Wiggins, nursing supervisor, and the rest of the staff at the Northwestern Louisiana War Veterans Home for your compassion, care, comfort and for treating Carl with dignity and respect. May God's blessing be upon you and may He guide you in your vocation.

Visitation for Carl will be held on Tuesday, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Osborn Funeral Home with a Rosary to follow.

A farewell mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph 's Catholic Church by Reverend Richard Lombard and Monsignor Earl Provenza. Interment will follow at the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville , Louisiana .

Honoring Carl as pallbearers will be his sons, John, Michael, Paul and Philip Escudé; his son-in-law, Tommie Brooks; and his nephew Steven Rogers of Hopkinsville , Kentucky . Serving as honorary pallbearers will be his three grandsons, Benjamin, Carl Stephen, and Andrew Escudé; and brother-in-law, Jerry D. Hammons of Benton , Louisiana .

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice .