Retired Bird Colonel, Daniel Wayne ‘Dan’ Cupit, 82, of Westlake, La., passed away on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 at West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital in Sulphur, La. He was born on Oct. 19, 1939 in Port Arthur, Texas to William Walker Cupit and Merta Lea Burrow Cupit. When Dan was in the 3rd grade, his family moved to Rosepine, La., where he was a Boy Scout, lead singing in his church, served as President of his senior class at Rosepine High School, and graduated 6th in his class in 1957. As a varsity basketball player for Rosepine High School, He earned the distinction of Outstanding Basketball Player in his district. After graduating from High School, Dan attended Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La. for a short time, before transferring to McNeese State University, where he lettered in Varsity Basketball. Also while attending McNeese, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Army R.O.T.C. and when he earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Mathematics Education in 1962, he was designated as a Distinguished Military Graduate. Dan went on to pursue his goals for higher education by earning his Masters Degree in Administration and Supervision in 1969, and his Certified Plus 30 Hours in Counseling and Guidance in 1972.
Colonel Cupit had a long and distinguished Army Career which began in 1962. He had many different designations and assignments throughout those years, which included commanding the 645th Quartermaster Company, commanding the 221st RPL Co., commanding 372nd Finance Section and the 373rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, before completing his military service as Deputy Comptroller for the Pentagon in Washington D.C., from which he retired in 1992.
After retiring from the Army, Dan served 24 years in Public Service. He was elected to the Westlake City Counsil in 1987, and served as a Councilman for four terms before he was elected Mayor of Westlake in 2007. He served as the Mayor until 2014, where he accomplished many things, including overseeing the development and construction of the National Golf Club in Westlake.
By appointment of the Governor of Louisiana, Dan served on the West Calcasieu Community Center Authority and served as their Chairman from 1987 until the 1990’s, and also by gubernatorial appointment, he has served on the Sabine River Authority since 1996, where he has served on numerous committees and twice as their Chairman. Dan has attended and served with many churches through the years, and he is currently a member of Gateway Church of God in Moss Bluff.
In addition to Dan’s careers in the military and public service, he was a teacher, administrator, counselor and coach for 30 years before he retired in 1997. He was a Guidance Counselor at Westlake High School, Math Teacher and Assistant Basketball Coach at LaGrange High School, Assistant Principal at S. P. Arnett Middle School, Principal at Western Heights Elementary School and Principal at Westwood Elementary School, from where he retired. Dan loved all sports, but his passion was basketball, and he got to indulge this passion in his many roles as a coach, including serving as the Assistant Basketball Coach at McNeese State University. He was able to pass on his love for basketball to his children and grandchildren, so his legacy will continue.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a niece, Charley Cupit.
Left to mourn his passing is his wife, Rhonda Cupit; four children, Travis W. Cupit and his wife Lisa of Westlake, La., Dana L. Cupit and her husband Stephen C. Broussard of Fredericksburg, Texas, Stanley P. Cupit of Sulphur, La., and Robert A. Cupit and his wife Sheri of Sulphur; his brother and sister, David Cupit and Susan Cupit, both of Rosepine, La.; grandchildren, Drew Cupit, Ivy Cupit, Aaron Cupit, Hannah Cupit Barmore and her husband Chad, Ally Cupit and Landon Cupit; nephews, Willy Cupit and Alex Marr; niece, Lea Marr Weiss; and numerous great-grandchildren.
Funeral Services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in the Chapel of Peace at Hixson Funeral Home, 3001 Ryan Street in Lake Charles. A visitation will precede the funeral service, beginning at 11 a.m. on Wednesday and will conclude with military honors.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JEHixson.com for the Cupit family.