LD Fruge, 93, passed away in the evening of August, 24th 2026. He was preceded in death by his wife of 74 years, Lillie Mae Granger, and his son, David Fruge. He is survived by his three remaining children - Wanda Fruge Dartez (Mike), Donna Fruge and Marc Fruge (Kelly) - many grandchildren, great grandchildren, a great-great grandchild, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends.

LD's life consisted of leadership, hard work, love for his family and having a good time. He worked as an Operating Engineer for 30 years. He contributed to countless construction projects across the country. He had a gift for making complication seem simple.

LD loved traveling and for a small town boy visited every continent on earth except Australia.

He and Lillie had no problem getting in the car or RV and driving to California or wherever the roads lead them in search of work, happiness and a sense of wonder.

LD rode a Harley Davidson motorcycle till his mid 70s and loved all the people he met all over the world.

He could fix anything or build anything. He was the goto person for fixing anything.Once he modified a riding lawnmower, and took it to California so his grandkids could ride it around their neighborhood.

LD was interested in all kinds of things. In the 1970's he was interested in gold dredging. One year he researched and built his own Gold dredge, took it to the California Gold Country, and actually found Gold with it.

LD loved telling stories and one of his favorites always involved a mythical relative Big Chief Wahoo, someone no one in the family met.

He also enjoyed giving people and family gifts and he always said the gifts were from our Uncle Jed...again someone no one in the family met.

LD was born on November 9th, 1932. His first language was Cajun French. Like many others in his generation, he started working early in life. He found his way to Mamou where he worked on a farm. This is where he'd fall in love with the farmer's daughter.

The couple married in 1951. Fed up with the agrarian way of life, LD joined the Merchant Marines to learn new skills to support his growing family. After this, he and Lillie moved around the state looking for work. They settled in Lake Charles in the early 1959 and bought the house they'd live the rest of their life in.

LD's hard work laid the foundation for the future of his family to have a better life. What he achieved in a lifetime is a testament to his character and will to succeed. He had a simple philosophy - If you hustle enough, nothing is impossible.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 29, 2026 in the Johnson Funeral Home chapel in Lake Charle. Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11:00 AM and continue until the start of the service with a rosary being recited at 12:30 PM.