Church Point—A Mass of Christian Burial for Derek James Noel, 29, of Church Point will be celebrated on Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Church Point. Reverend Monsignor Jeff DeBlanc will serve as celebrant. Interment will follow in United Methodist Church Cemetery, Church Point.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 9:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M. in Duhon Funeral Home of Church Point, with a rosary being recited by Derek’s great-aunt, Sister Emma Noel, at 7:00 P.M. Visitation will continue on Sunday from 8:00 A.M. until 1:30 P.M. in the funeral home.

Derek passed away on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at Acadia-St. Landry Guest Home of injuries suffered in a vehicle accident in 2009.

Derek graduated from Church Point High School in 2000, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance from McNeese State University in 2004. While attending McNeese, Derek served on the football equipment staff from 2001 through 2003 for the McNeese Cowboys.

After graduation, Derek taught school and coached football and track and field at Iota High School from 2005 through 2007, and at South Cameron High School from 2007 through 2009. Derek was a member of McNeese State University Alumni Association, Louisiana High School Athletic Association, Louisiana High School Coaches Association, Louisiana High School Football Coaches Association, and Louisiana High School Track and Field Coaches Association.

Survivors include his mother, Leslie Smith of Church Point; father, Kurt Noel and wife, Casie of Gonzales; sister, Lee-Anne Elizabeth Noel of Church Point; and paternal grandparents, Lawrence and Louella Noel of Church Point. He is also survived by several aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends.

Preceding Derek in death were his maternal grandparents, Margaret and Leslie Roland Smith.

Serving as pallbearers are Britt Broadhead, Achille Fairchild, Tommy Johns, Kyle Richey, Parry D. Lalande, and John Paul Trosclair.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.duhonfuneralhome.com

Duhon Funeral Home, LLC of Church Point has been entrusted with arrangements.