Floyd Mitchell East Sr. 89, of Lake Charles, La.,  passed away April 8, 2023. 

Floyd was born March 18, 1934, to Philo and Inez Broussard East in his grandparents home in Grand Chenier, La. Their family later moved to Lake Charles were he started attending Landry Memorial High School in the 3rd grade. That is the age that he discovered his love for the sport of Boxing, he realized you could get out of school to attend tournaments. The only thing he really excelled in high school was boxing were he won many titles and won the state Brinks Trophy two years in a row for Outstanding Boxer.

He made lifelong friends from his team mates, coaches and even some of his opponents. He also play for the Landry Tigers football, were he played both offense and defense because they didn’t have enough players!  

During his senior year he met his future wife and love of his life Mable “Doodle” Dupuis at a CYO dance. They married on Oct. 23, 1955, and later had three children Floyd Jr. “Rocky”, Monica and Jean Ann.  Floyd retired from Vulcan Metal Products and Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.

He continued his love of boxing with turning professional out of high school and mostly fought in the Texas Circuit.  Floyd eventually retired from boxing professionally to take care of his family but continued as a coach, referee and judge.  This later lead him to become a member of the Southern and National Amateur Athletic Association with travels around the United States to judge and referee for national tournaments which led to him becoming an international official for the United State Boxing Federation.  

Floyd and Doodle were honored to have been able to travel to foreign countries including London, England, Poland, Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Tunisia and France. He also had the honor to officiate at Pan-American games which are held the year before the summer olympics.

Mr. East was devoted to his Catholic faith were his parents were one of the founding families of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church.  He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council #3208 celebrating his 70th year on April 1, 2023 and served as an usher for the last 30 years.

Floyd is predeceased by his parents and granddaughter, Courtney East.  He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mable “Doodle” East; son, Floyd “Rocky” East Jr., wife Callie Farley East, and son Caden East; daughters, Monica East Martin and husband Kim and daughter Sara Martin; Jean Ann East and son Matthew East; brother B. J. “Poochie” East and daughter Karla Tullos and 5 great-grandchildren.

The family will welcome the public for visitation at J. E. Hixson & Sons Funeral Home Thursday, April 13, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. with a rosary service beginning at 11:30 a.m. Rocky will lead the with a eulogy reading before services. A Mass of Christian burial held at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church will begin at 1  p.m. led by Father Andrew Derouen. Interment will follow at Consolata Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Matthew East and Caden East, great nephews Zack O’Quinn and Max Myers, family friend Gene Williams and cousin Clark White. 

Honorary pallbearers will be Donald Broussard, Paul Patin, Ronald Fremin and Gilbert Higginbotham.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 2500 Enterprise Blvd., Lake Charles LA 70601; St. Louis Catholic High School, 1620 Bank St. Lake Charles, LA 70601;  or the American Cancer Society. 

The family would like to thank the ER & ICU staff at Christus Ochsner St. Patrick’s Hospital as well as Dr. Jake LeBeau for their care.