“Cactus Carl the Living Legend” (or just “Cac” as he liked to be called), was born Carl Ronald Duplantis, on March 5, 1931 to Dennis Pierre and Addie Hebert Duplantis in Port Arthur, Texas. He had 2 older sisters, Floyd Elaine and Bettie Jane, and a younger brother, Vernon Lee. His parents were one of 3 couples from Houma, LA that consisted of 3 Duplantis brothers who married 3 Hebert sisters who moved to Port Arthur in the 1920’s and began a rich family heritage for generations.
He attended St. Mary’s Catholic school and was the last living member of the Ninth Street Hookers neighborhood gang with Vernon Duplantis, Lester Marioneaux, Jack Grady, Dickie Parish, Jerry Stout, Louis Cutaia, Earl Hamilton, Carlton Fisk, and Wolf the dog. This group of friends grew up together, several served in the US Marines together, raised their families together, and lived life together.
Upon graduation from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1949, Carl enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. After serving as a small arms instructor at the Naval Training Center in San Diego, he was discharged in June 1950 then recalled to active duty in the Korean War in October 1950. He was deployed to Korea in January 1951 as a machine gunner 1st Marine Division, Howe Company, 3rd Platoon. He became the squad leader, gaining and holding the 38th parallel under General Chesty Puller. He served for 7 years (3 active, 4 reserve) and was honorably discharged as Sargeant in 1957.
Carl married Maryann Reid in 1955, and they had 3 children: Carl Reid in 1958, Adie Denise ‘Pokie’ in 1960, and Rob Harris in 1964. The Duplantis home was full of baseball, football, cheerleading, hunting, motorcycles, singing and playing guitar, and gatherings of family and friends. Carl coached teams and taught the kids how to swim, hunt, fish, play guitar, build, and fix anything. This was the era of raising kids by a village of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and lifelong friends who truly lived life together. This was Carl’s way of life.
He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Lamar University, was a member of the OCAW union and worked in the Gulf refinery Administration department for 38 years until he retired in 1989. He proudly served as a Director and President of the Gulf Credit Union Board and as president of the Gulf Retirees Association for many years.
Carl married his soulmate and lifetime dance partner, Margie Norris, in May 1986. They traveled, danced, laughed, and celebrated life together for 34 adventurous years. He was a skilled craftsman and built their dream home in Vidor before relocating to Nederland. Carl and Margie shared great pride in their kids, in-laws, grandkids, and great-grandkids. They invested personally into each one, never forgot a birthday, and attended every birth, ballgame, dance recital, and baptism that they could.
He earned the name “Cactus Carl the Living Legend” by playing guitar, singing, and keeping the Duplantis family traditions alive. Generations have grown up at the old beach house built by Carl and father-in-law Bob Reid, by the pool at his brother Vernon’s on Sundays, and many hunting trips with his boys and his first cousin and best friend, Beau. Carl said many times that he did everything he ever wanted to do and saw everything he ever wanted to see. There will never be another Cactus Carl.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis Pierre and Addie Hebert Duplantis, his siblings Floyd Elaine Briggs, Bettie Jane Weldon, and Vernon Lee Duplantis, his wives Maryann Reid and Margie Norris.
He is survived by his 3 children: Carl Reid Duplantis (Tara), Adie Denise ‘Pokie’ Duplantis (Eric Wilson), Rob Harris Duplantis (Tamy); 6 granddaughters: Angela Cruise (Willie), Meagan Seelye (Bill), Stephanie Miller (Matt), Makayla Ellis (Wade), Carli Duplantis, Maci Stierwalt (Mason); 9 great-grandchildren: Addison, Benji, Charlotte, Coby, Audrey, Maverick, Cooper, Camden, Malia
Also survived by Margie’s daughter-in-law: Gale Terracina-Doty (Ron); 4 grandchildren: Kevin Nectoux (April), Katie Nectoux McGill, Trey Terracina (Madison), Melissa Luke (Harrison); 9 great-grandchildren: Bria, Brayden, Kylar, Kaden, Tatum, Evie, John-Parker, Caroline, Emmie