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Please join us in welcoming Tristan Herrera as the new Managing Funeral Director of Martinez West Funeral Home and Crematory, West Odessa, Texas. Tristan was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas Tech University, followed by a Master of Business Administration. His early career as a fitness specialist at Covenant Lifestyle Centre allowed him to work closely with patients recovering from cardiac and respiratory trauma and reinforced his passion in caring for others. Driven by that calling, Tristan entered the funeral profession and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Services in 2025. He gained hands-on experience with Combest Family Funeral Homes and is licensed as both a funeral director and embalmer. Tristan is committed to serving families with compassion, professionalism, and integrity. Outside of work, he enjoys life with his wife, Gabby, and their two dogs, Bear and Mia, and continues to prioritize wellness and personal growth. We’re excited to have Tristan step into this leadership role and look forward to the impact he will make at Martinez West Funeral Home and Crematory.
We’re pleased to announce the promotion of David Houston to General Manager of the Roswell Market, overseeing Ballard Funeral Home & Crematory and LaGrone Funeral Chapel & Crematory in Roswell, and Terpening & Son Mortuary in Artesia. David began his funeral service career in 1982 after graduating from Lamesa High School. He earned his Funeral Director and Embalmer licenses in Texas before relocating to New Mexico, where he became an FSP in 1989. David has held leadership roles on the New Mexico Funeral Service Association Board (twice as President) and the New Mexico Board of Funeral Service (four years as Chairman). David has been a steady presence at Terpening & Son for many years, and we’re confident he will bring strong leadership and direction to the Roswell Market in this new role. Congratulations, David!
We're pleased to share several exciting leadership updates within the Legacy Family: Kevin Combest, a former owner and Regional Manager, is promoted to Regional Director. Kevin will take on an expanded leadership role across the Southwest and the Texas Panhandle. With the support of Billy Vallie, Jr. (Area Manager), Kevin will oversee both the Odessa and West Texas Markets, along with the Texas Panhandle. He will also help guide the Abilene Market in partnership with Bryan Hicks (Area Manager). In addition, Kevin will continue his managerial responsibilities throughout New Mexico. We are also excited to announce the promotion of Ryan Stephens to Regional Director. Ryan has been the Regional Manager of Central Texas for some time now. In this new role, Ryan will work alongside Norman Gonzales (Regional Manager) to oversee both the South Texas and Central Texas Markets, supporting continued growth and operational excellence across the region. Ray Dupre has been named Regional Manager for the entire state of Louisiana. In this expanded role, Ray now provides leadership and oversight statewide, including the recent addition of the Baton Rouge Market—comprising Ascension, Baker, and Resthaven Gardens of Memory & Funeral Home. Ray’s dedication and leadership to his team continues to strengthen as he works to assist with the care provided to families across Louisiana. Please join us in congratulating Kevin, Ryan, and Ray on their well-deserved promotions. These leadership changes reflect our ongoing commitment to excellence and position us for continued success throughout the communities we serve.
Orlando, FL — May 2025 — Legacy Funeral Group announces the acquisition of Loomis Family Funeral Home in Apopka, Florida, and Loomis Family Cremations in Minneola, Florida. Established in 1946 by Francis E. Loomis in Winter Garden, Florida, Loomis Family Funeral Home is a third-generation, family-owned institution deeply rooted in Central Florida. The Apopka location was opened in 1987 by James "Jim" R. Loomis and, following his passing in 2015, continued under the dedicated leadership of his sons, James R. "Bob" Loomis and Steven P. "Steve" Loomis. This acquisition enhances Legacy's presence in the Orlando area, complementing existing locations, including Highland Memory Gardens and Funeral Home, Orlando Memorial Gardens, Carey Hand Colonial, and Collison Funeral Homes. William R. Gray, who has served as Managing Funeral Director for 25 years, will continue leading the Apopka team. Born and raised locally, William is deeply connected to the community and committed to exceptional care. Legacy Funeral Group warmly welcomes William R. Gray and the Loomis Family Funeral Homes team.
Las Vegas, NV — April 2025 — Legacy Funeral Group announces its acquisition of Bunker’s Funeral Homes & Cemeteries from Carriage Funeral Services (CSV). This acquisition significantly enhances Legacy’s presence in the Las Vegas Valley. Properties acquired include: Eden Vale Mortuary, Eden Vale Memorial Park, Memory Gardens Cemetery & Mortuary, Woodlawn Cemetery. Bunker’s Funeral Homes & Cemeteries have served Las Vegas for over 80 years. Larry Davis, who brings over 45 years of deathcare experience and has been part of the Las Vegas community since 1995, will continue as Area Manager. Davis is actively involved in local community organizations, including the Trauma Intervention Program (TIP), Nathan Adelson Hospice, and Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. Larry Davis will support General Manager Lauren Guido in overseeing Davis and Las Vegas Cremations, enhancing service and professionalism for families throughout Southern Nevada. Legacy Funeral Group warmly welcomes Larry Davis and the entire Bunker’s team.
This family-owned and operated business was founded by John Francis Vincent in 1971 to serve the Vermillion Parish community in Louisiana. After his passing, John Francis’ son Jacques Vincent and wife Dawn Frederic Vincent, carried on the tradition of quality service for 30+ years. Today, third-generation family member, Hailey, continues the tradition along with an expert staff of professionals at the Kaplan, Abbeville, and Gueydan locations, to provide the families of Vermillion Parish with dedicated care in their time of need. Hailey and husband, Robert Russo, are pleased to merge their firm with Legacy. Michael Soper, President and CEO of Legacy Funeral Group remarks, “It’s an honor to own Vincent Funeral Homes and be part of their rich culture and heritage.” Hailey Russo remarks, “We had the opportunity to affiliate with other firms but knew Legacy and Michael Soper were the best option to maintain our family reputation.” Legacy Funeral Group owns and operates 161 funeral homes, cemeteries, and crematories in eight states throughout the southwest and southern United States, building a reputation as one of the most trusted names in the death care industry. The company takes pride in preserving the family-owned funeral home feel in every community, Serving One Family at a Time.
With deep roots in Abilene, Texas, we are honored to announce that The Hamil Family Funeral Home is one of our newest members of the Legacy Family. The Hamil family has been serving their community for more than 90 years and is dedicated to preserving the business heritage and legacy of the Hamil name in West Texas. Robert Hamil is a third-generation funeral director and embalmer. He and his wife, Karla Hamil, have owned and operated the business for the last 20 years. We are proud to have such dedicated professionals, and we enjoy working with their team to maintain the funeral home’s well-earned reputation for quality and compassion. The acquisition is supervised by Area Manager Bryan Hicks, who has served the Abilene Community for many years at Elmwood, and is managed by long-term employee, Alan Wainscott.
Legacy is proud to announce our expansion in the Texas Panhandle and South Texas. Each acquisition brings unique expertise and resources that will further enrich our offerings and enable us to serve our communities better. In the Texas Panhandle, we are delighted to incorporate Schooler Funeral Home, Angel Funeral Home, LaGrone Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Homes, and Memory Gardens of Amarillo to our Legacy Family. These Amarillo homes and cemeteries will provide a stronger West Texas Region along with our existing Legacy firms. Our South Texas market is also becoming stronger with the addition of Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home in San Benito and Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg. With these two funeral homes, the Legacy presence in the Rio Grande Valley is growing and continuously becoming stronger.
As Legacy Funeral Group continues to grow, we are proud to announce Steve Boudreaux’s promotion to Vice President of Funeral Home Operations. Steve has been in the funeral industry for 30 years. He is a licensed funeral director and embalmer and has proven himself in many areas of our industry including location and regional management, casket sales and was recently appointed by the Governor of Louisiana to serve as a board member of the Louisiana State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Steve’s favorite aspect of working with Legacy is the family atmosphere, and small-company feel that Legacy promotes. “Steve has more than earned a position on our leadership team,” says Michael Soper, President and CEO of Legacy Funeral Group. “Steve’s experience and industry knowledge, as well as his passion and dedication over the last 10 years have been instrumental in turning Legacy into the brand it is today.” Steve is a graduate of Delgado College in New Orleans and enjoys spending time with his wife Jodi and two children, Garrett and Sydney. When Steve is not working, he enjoys fishing in South Louisiana. As Steve puts it, “It’s an honor, a privilege, and a responsibility I take great pride in.”
Legacy Funeral Group is proud to announce the addition of three family-owned funeral homes joining the Legacy family.
