Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival executive director dies (updated)

Lee Delaune, executive director of the Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival, died Saturday, according to a news release from Nathalie Weber, president of the festival.
Weber’s news release emailed Saturday afternoon follows.
“The Louisiana Shrimp & Petroleum Festival family suffered a great loss Saturday, September 20, 2014. Our Executive Director, Mr. Lee Delaune, passed away at his home. Lee had been a part of the festival for forty-three years and had held the position of executive director for the past six years. Adding to his many years of service to the festival, Lee was commissioned to create the 76th festival poster.
“Mr. Delaune ran the oldest state chartered harvest festival with an expert hand. He handled every detail of the festival. He was a member of every committee and sat with the Board of Directors for every meeting. He had dedicated his life to our festival. He worked to put not only the festival but the entire Tri-City area on the map. His artistic abilities as well as his degrees in accounting and computers showed in his work. Lee was constantly striving to make the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival not only the oldest but the best festival in the State of Louisiana.
“Every member of the Board of Directors of the festival had a relationship with Lee. He was always available to answer questions and handle details. He will be sadly missed in our organization and in the community. Funeral details are being handled by Mr. Delaune’s family. We would like for each of them to know that they are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.”

The following is an excerpt from information on Delaune published in The Daily Review's Shrimp & Petroleum Festival edition.
Delaune is a graduate of Berwick High School and furthered his education at various universities, earning degrees in accounting, art and computers.
Delaune has been an active member of his community. He has served on the Holy Cross school board and Parent-Teacher Organization. He has also served as a Catechism teacher and religion coordinator for junior high and high school grades of Holy Cross Parish.
He was one of the originators of the men’s carnival club, Krewe of Adonis, serving on the board for 10 years. He is past president, captain and king of the Berwick-Bayou Vista Mardi Gras Association, now the Krewe of Dionysus, serving as president and board member for five years and was king in 1989.
Delaune is a licensed Louisiana florist and is the former owner of Flower Fashions in Morgan City. One of his many accomplishments was being able to decorate former Gov. Mike and Alice Foster’s home, Oaklawn Manor in Franklin before and after Foster was governor of Louisiana.
Presently, Delaune is a board member for the Krewe of Nike.
He is presently a member of Louisiana Travel Promotion Association and Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals.
Delaune’s parents are the late Russell and Gloria Barbier Delaune.