Patrick DeRouen, 70, founder of PVC pipe fittings fabricator Plastics Inc. of Rayne, La., died Jan. 12 in a Lafayette hospital due to cancer.
DeRouen also founded Elco Electric of Rayne, La., in 1958. He established Plastics Inc. in 1972, and was president until 2001. The company also had units in Eagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negras, Mexico.
In 2003 he became president and owner of DeRouen Plastic Inc., a paper and plastic cup maker also in Rayne. DeRouen was instrumental in developing many items in underground plastic piping systems, many of which are considered the norm in today's industry.
He is survived by his wife, Dolores.