Ed & Rickey Domingues
2017 Spring Gala Honorees

Edward John Domingues and Rickey Suire Domingues have brought much to Acadiana and the people that call it home.  From molding young minds in the classroom, providing jobs and stability throughout the area, to giving back to the causes that they hold close to their hearts, Ed and Rickey continue to stay active and use their resources to contribute to the progression of Acadiana and the University.

Ed Domingues is one of four sons born in Erath, LA to Velma and Corbet Domingues. As a high school student, he was involved in extracurricular activities, serving as a band officer and industrial arts officer, and participated in football and track and field.  Ed began being recruited by Louisiana universities and decided to carry his talent in track and field to USL, where he held records in relays and the 440-yard dash, served as student coach in 1967, and was appointed team captain for two years. In class, Ed double majored in Industrial Arts Education and Business from 1962-1968.

After graduation he joined the Louisiana National Guard, worked as a pipe fitter and rigger for Dresser Engineers, and was a social worker for the welfare department before beginning his career at Abbeville High School for the next decade as an Industrial Arts teacher and track coach. Ed found himself back in the oilfield in 1980 when he became the general manager at MarCon, leading him to become part owner of Fluid Dynamics five years later.  He would eventually buy out the company, now renamed Fluid Crane and Construction. In 2002, Ed and Rickey opened Eddie’s One Stop on the newly opened Highway 14 Bypass in Erath. It has since become a viable convenience store supplying Erath with fuel, goods and food while being a great place to meet and visit with friends.

Also near and dear to Ed’s heart is the Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation of which he was a founding member and at the forefront of its organization. He now serves on the Board of Directors as Vice Chair.

All of Ed’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed within his community. He has been recognized with many honors including King of the Krewe of Vermilion in 2005 and a member of the Living Legends in 2006. Ed was also voted as one of the top 100 Best Athletes of Vermillion Parish and was inducted into the Erath Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.

Rickey Domingues is the daughter of Florine and Johnnie Suire, both SLI graduates. Much like her husband, she too was an active student at Erath High School serving as yearbook editor, class officer, band majorette and officer, and charter Beta Club member. She attended district and state rally and was a member of Snooks Relay Court.  Rickey was also recognized on Erath’s Who’s Who list and stood on Homecoming Court. She stayed active at USL as a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority where she served as vice president and pledge trainer. She held an office in both Jr. and Sr. PanHellenic and represented the University at a PanHellenic conference in Tennessee. Rickey was a member of the Newman Club, represented Bonin Dorm for Women’s Student Government Association, and served on the first Women’s Disciplinary Board. For three years, she was also a member of the Southwestern Relays Court where she represented the University at the Gulf States Conference Track and Field Meet and at the LAGCOE Style Show.

Rickey graduated in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a minor in library science and quickly began teaching. She taught her students for 12 years before becoming the Erath Elementary librarian for the next 19 years.  Rickey has served on many committees and participated in multiple organizations including the Louisiana Reference Committee, steering committee of Vermilion Parish Professional Instructional Program, Vermilion Parish Library Association, Jr. Beta Club sponsor and Louisiana State Beta Sponsor, Louisiana and Vermilion Parish Retired Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Sorority, and LAGCOE committee.  Rickey served as an at-large member of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association council and has also continued to spearhead the Twelve and Go Club for the past 24 years, a club that both Ed and Rickey’s parents were charter members.

Rickey’s honors include being named the Grand Marshall of Erath High School’s homecoming festivities in 1999, the Delta Kappa Gamma Vermillion Parish Golden Apple Award, and the National Jr. Beta Award for outstanding service.

Together Ed and Rickey Domingues were named Erath Catholic Family of the Year in 2006, Grand Marshall of Erath’s Fourth of July parade in 2006, Honorary Drum Major for the Pride of Acadiana in 2007, Catholic High Supporters of the Year in 2014, and recognized as a UL Lafayette Distinguished Donors in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Ed and Rickey enjoy giving back to the community and support various causes such as student scholarships, the Alumni Association, Ragin’ Cajun Athletic Foundation and school and athletic programs.  They have also assisted flood victims, participated in golf tournament and skeet shoot fundraisers, and donated for hardship cases like the fire at Erath Middle School and the area flooding at all three local schools.

They enjoy traveling with the Ragin’ Cajuns athletic teams and attending games and events, entertaining at their Cypremort Point Bay camp, hunting, boating and spending time with their family and friends.

Ed and Rickey have two children Mary Domingues LeBlanc, married to Tim LeBlanc, and Jeanne Domingues Turner. They are the proud grandparents of six grandchildren and currently reside in New Iberia, Louisiana.