On September 16, 2026, the world lost its biggest LSU Tigers and Hank Williams fan. Earl Trahan (90) was born at home in Kaplan, Louisiana on Columbus Day in 1935 to Ezel Trahan and Lulia Robicheaux Trahan. Father Odilon Bris tried to convince Ezel to name him Columbus, but Ezel stood firm. His name would be Earl John. With his arrival, many people’s lives would never be the same.
Earl’s romance with his beloved wife Aletta began in Kaplan, Louisiana in 1951, when Earl invited Aletta to see The Day the Earth Stood Still. It did. They would marry in 1954, after reacquainting when Aletta invited Earl to her high school graduation from Bradford Academy in Vermont, where she had moved. That long train ride to Vermont would prove well worth it. They enjoyed 71 years together.
Earl lived a full life and saw a lot. He grew up speaking Cajun French, helped his father plumb their home, applauded the arrival of butane over kerosene then electricity over butane, and would arrive home from his first year at McNeese State to find a telephone in his living room (glass porch). As a young boy, Earl served water to World War II POWs working in Kaplan’s rice fields, along with his cherished cousin Julius. He later drank whiskey with Hank Williams in the back seat of Hank’s car, and bought Kitty Wells a beer. He hitchhiked to see Willie Mays at an exhibition game in Alexandria and to St. Louis to see his Cardinals, “the only team in the South." Earl built a successful custom sign business and served as a distinguished leader in Huntsville’s business community for years, while starting many of his days milking the family’s cow.
Earl’s greatest love was his sweetie Aletta, enjoying adventures together in Kaplan, Vermont, Baton Rouge, Houston, Huntsville (Falba), Riverside, and in their travels. His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren. Despite a busy schedule with work and the farm, Earl and Aletta never missed a game or performance.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents Paulin and Eugenia (Momma) Segura Robicheaux and Remi and Ida Trahan, sisters Louella Clark (husband Clomas) and Nona Bell Prejean (husband Junior), and brother J.C. (wife Joyce).
Earl is survived by his dear wife Aletta, sons John Lauren, Malcolm Lucas, and Paul (wife Jamie), daughter Amy Reichle, grandchildren Vanessa Rapp, Joseph Trahan, Charlie Trahan, Isaac Reichle, Feleshia Herrera, Aletta Brabham, and Erin Jane Reichle, and ten great-grandchildren with another on the way.
Earl’s family will celebrate his life privately, with a few tears, lots of laughs, good food, and a game on, as Earl would have wanted.
Thank you to all our friends and family for your prayers, kind words, and support. By God’s grace, may Earl rest in peace.
