Rufus "Buster" Nelands

Rufus Louis “Buster” Nelands, 79, of Lake Charles passed away Saturday, October 08, 2016 at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings, LA.

Mr. Nelands was a native of Church Point, LA, graduate of Morrow High School and has lived most of his life in Lake Charles.  Following graduation he served eight years in the United States Air Force achieving Airman 1st Class rank.  He was a lifetime member of the American Legion WB Williamson Post 1, of which he was Past Commander, State Officer, District Officer and Local Officer.  He remained active with the post and always enjoyed cooking for the crew.  During his younger years, Mr. Nelands worked for various companies, acquiring skills and experience to start his Air Conditioning and Refrigeration business, Commercial Refrigeration.  In 1990, he retired his business and worked another thirteen years as the Maintenance Supervisor for Calcasieu Parish School Board.  He loved to dance, play cards and have a good time.  For many years, he was a member and former court royalty of the Krewe du Grande Bois. 

Mr. Nelands was an active member of St. Margaret Catholic Church where he served as a 3rd degree Knight of Columbus and Monsignor Cramer’s 4th degree Knight.  He served two terms as Grand Knight and was honored as Knight of the Year. 

Mr. Nelands will be most remembered as a devoted family man, good friend and for his desire to help others. 

He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of fifty seven years, Margie Prudhomme Nelands of Lake Charles; one son, Mark W. Nelands and wife Karen of Hayes; two daughters, Denise Ann Huval and husband Huey of Kennesaw, GA and Deborah Kay Andrus and husband George of Sulphur; twelve grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; siblings, Edward Dangler, Jr. of Ville Platte, Etta Mae Vannoy and husband C.A. “Tot” of Broussard, Nora Lou Shepherd of Indiana, Betsy Adams of Utah and three step sisters, Ruby Doucet of Ville Platte, Gail Riveria of Washington, LA and Pearl Squires of New Iberia.

He was preceded in death by his son, Steven L. Nelands; foster parents, Pete and Thelma Foster of LeMoine, LA; parents, Amos D. Nelams and Edith Huckaby LaFleur; two sisters, Barbara Deshotel and Nancy Grasshoff; brother, Wayne “Butch” Bihm and half brother, David LaFleur.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 PM Monday, October 10, 2016 at St. Margaret Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Monsignor Harry Greig and Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate.  Interment service with Military honors will follow in Consolata Cemetery.  Visitation Sunday will be from 3:00 PM until 9:00 PM with an American Legion Service beginning at 6:00 PM and a Catholic Daughter rosary to follow.  Visitation Monday will be from 9:00 AM until 12:30 PM in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home, 1610 Evangeline Road, Jennings, LA 70546.

The family of Mr. Nelands wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff of Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home and Amedysis Hospice for their excellence in care and kindness.