Region 13

 

Elmer Duplantis

Elmer Duplantis of Lafayette, Louisiana was a true mentor and generous leader to our region. His beloved wife Myrtis, was always at his side and they have always been a lively and loving couple. Their garden was on the National Convention tour and many regional tours over the years.

He served as president of the Delta Daylily Society. During his term in 1998, Delta hosted the largest AHS National Convention in history. So named as over 800 attended, but his measure was the 18 busses it took to get everyone to all the gardens.  He once laughed that it was like his younger Army days as a tank commander under General George Patton in WWII.

In 2000-2001, he agreed to serve as Regional Publicity Director and in 2003, he served Region 13 as Regional Vice President until his death. He instituted fund raising plant sales, youth focused membership projects, expansion of the Display Garden list and increased participation in the vote for Popularity Poll. He made possible the award winning newsletter of Region 13,  The Arkla Daylily which in year 2000 was awarded AHS Best Newsletter of the Year. He often visited every club in the region and during his terms, personally visited each current and future applicant AHS Display Garden.

Elmer passed away suddenly in the summer of 2006.

Elmer and Myrtis were awarded the 2007 Regional Service Medal by AHS for outstanding service to the Society. This is an honor well deserved!

A tireless worker and cheerleader for daylilies, Elmer was truly one of a kind.  Thank you, Elmer.    

Remembrances of Elmer will be included here as permitted.