More detail on this person: Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 1:00 pm at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home in Lafayette for Thomas Albert William Schaal, 81, who passed away Sunday, February 2nd at Louisiana Extended Care Hospital of Lafayette. Visitation will be observed on Thursday, February 13th from 9:00 am until the time of service at Fountain Memorial Funeral Home. Reverend Weldon Moak of Lafayette will officiate. Thomas was born May 24, 1938, in Somerville, NJ and was a long-time resident of Acadiana. A proud veteran, he served in the United States Army and held the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. During his tours in the Vietnam conflict, he flew helicopters and received several awards and medals including 16 Air Medals, The Bronze Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross, among others. After the Army, Thomas flew helicopters for Southern Airways in Texas and South America. After returning to the states with his family, he was a pilot for Petroleum Helicopters Inc. (PHI) for 30 years before retiring. During his time off from flying, he enjoyed wildlife rehabilitation work with his wife. Thomas' hobbies were taxidermy, guns, fishing, cooking, his salt water aquarium and hunting. He loved playing his accordion the best he could and making crazy email videos. Flying was still his number one passion. Thomas is survived by two daughters, Sandi Noble (Allen) of Scott and Virginia Schaal of Broussard; two sons, Ronald Schaal (Barbara) of New Jersey and John Schaal of Youngsville; a sister-in-law, Jo Ann Carey (Peter) of Lafayette; eight grandchildren, Carey Schaal (David) of Rayne, Veronica Noble (Dustan) of Duson, Brooke Noble (Dylan) of Scott, Lucian Schaal of Scott, Raelynne Schaal of Scott, Rebecca Perryman (John) of Medford, MA, Tracey Benoit (Craig) of Lafayette and Christopher Schaal of New Jersey; nine great-grandchildren, Stephenie, Keely, Nathan, Damian, Melrose, JoDee, Noah, Wyatt and Maeve; one great-great-granddaughter, Adilynn and numerous dear friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Delorese Marcene Carey Schaal, who passed away last year and his parents, Albert William and Veronica Therese Noble Schaal; his sister, Marlene Urbaniak and two grandsons, Sean and Stephen Noble. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Thomas' name to the Acadiana Veterans Honor Guard by mail at PO Box 90456, Lafayette, LA, 70509, by phone at 337-873-1526 or online at www.avhonorguard.com. Online obituary and guest book may be viewed at www.fountainmemorialfuneralhome.com. Fountain Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery, 1010 Pandora St., 337-981-7098 is in charge of arrangements.
Burial information: Cremated
This information was last updated 04/13/2020
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Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
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