Calvin Lapuyade

Calvin Oliver Lapuyade, born April 28, 1930, passed away on November 13, 2022, at 92 years old.

Calvin is survived by his son, Keith Lapuyade, daughter-in-law, Marianne Lapuyade, and two grandchildren: Remy Calvin Lapuyade (8) and Jules Armand Lapuyade (6), who he adored.

Calvin was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and raised by his grandmother in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi for most of his childhood with his sister, Potsie. As he grew into adulthood during the 1940s, Calvin was a hard worker, including work as a plumber in the French Quarter in New Orleans. He received his undergraduate degree from Southeastern Louisiana University. From there, he attended Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he received his master’s degree in divinity.  He was very proud of that degree, and in recent years received accolades from Emory for his work there.

Before receiving his degree from Emory, he met his wife, Myrtress Keller Lapuyade, from Galvez, Louisiana. They met at church during a hayride, fell in love, and were married for over 66 years.  This was an accomplishment Calvin would share with everyone he met. Calvin and Myrtress were blessed with one son, Keith Dale Lapuyade.

Calvin served as a devout minister in the United Methodist Church for approximately 47 years. Most of his career was spent in the Louisiana conference, where he served churches all over the state of Louisiana. His ministry began at the Springfield/Carpenters chapel area, east of Baton Rouge. Next, they moved to Iota, and then to Chatham in the northern part of the state. From there, he served as the minister of United Methodist churches in Jennings, New Orleans, Golden Meadow, Zachary, Belle Chase, and Monroe, Louisiana.

In addition to the ministry, Calvin was very active in various Masonic organizations, including the Blue Lodge, the Consistory, the Shriners, the Knights Templar, and many of their related organizations. Calvin attributed his involvement in masonry as one of his greatest successes in life. He was a past Master and Chaplain of the Colorado Knights Templar for many years.  Calvin was fortunate to have received his 70-year Masonic membership pin at the Douglas Lodge in 2021.

At the age of 65, Calvin retired from the ministry. He and Myrtress moved to Colorado to be near their son, Keith. However, moving to Colorado did not end Calvin‘s legacy of service to Christ and the community. He volunteered as an assistant chaplain at Sky Ridge Hospital for many years. He also visited nursing homes and served communion in those nursing homes up until COVID. He also participated in various faith groups at Littleton United Methodist Church, where he was a member for over 20 years. At 88 years old, he was still driving across town, in the red Cadillac he loved, providing comfort and service to the residents of nursing homes.  Needless to say, Calvin lived a full life of service to his community and devotion to Christ. Calvin will be laid to rest in the cemetery next to his late wife at the Faithful United Methodist Church in Saint-Amant, Louisiana.

Calvin will be remembered as the epitome of kindness and humility, a devoted servant of God, a preacher, an artist, a craftsman, and a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Funeral services will be held at the Littleton United Methodist Church in Littleton, Colorado on Friday, November 18, 2022, at 3 PM.  The burial service will be held at the Faithful United Methodist Church in Saint-Amant, Louisiana on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at 11 AM. Both services are open to all friends and family.