Carmello Mayo Leo Casciari Sr., affectionately known to so many as “Tattoo Man,” of Gorum, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026, at NRMC. He was 60 years old.

Carmello was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on August 24, 1965, to Clara Francis Basco McDaniel and William Normand McDaniel.

For 42 years, Carmello shared his life with the love of his life and his beloved wife, DeAnna Casciari. Together, they built a life filled with love, family, laughter, hard times, good times, and more memories than could ever be put into words.

To most people, he was known simply as “Tattoo Man.” But to his family, he was so much more.

Carmello worked on a supply boat until an injury, followed by being struck by a vehicle on the interstate, changed his life and left him disabled. Those things may have taken a lot from him physically, but they never took his fight. If anything, they showed everyone around him just how strong and stubborn he truly was.

And if you knew Carmello, you knew that stubbornness was something he wore proudly.

Carmello taught himself how to tattoo and turned that talent into a way to provide for his family. He could create some amazing tattoos, but he would be the first one to tell you that he couldn’t draw a stick man to save his life. That was Carmello—he didn’t need to explain himself. He simply figured things out and made it work.

He loved music, loved being around his family, and absolutely loved making sure there was never a dull moment when he was in the room. He was an avid gun collector and truly honored the second amendment. His arms were never bare. He was the life of the party, the one who could turn an ordinary moment into a story everyone would remember.

And then there was that laugh.

Carmello had a laugh you could recognize from anywhere. It was loud, contagious, and completely his. Long after his voice is no longer heard, that laugh will still live in the memories of everyone who knew him.

Carmello was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. But above all else, he was a family man.

He was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back, even if it was the last shirt he owned. He spent much of his life in Gorum, right by his momma’s side. And although he may not have technically been the baby of the family, nobody could convince Carmello otherwise. In his heart, he would forever be the “big little brother.”

To his children, however, he was something much bigger.

He was their protector. Their safe place. Their biggest aggravation and one of their greatest blessings. He was their knight in shining armor. No matter how hard life became, his children knew there was a fight in him, and they knew he would fight for them.

His grandchildren brought another kind of joy into his life. He loved them fiercely, and each one of them will carry pieces of him with them—the stories, the sayings, the stubbornness, the laughter, and the love.

Carmello leaves behind far more than a name. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, stories that will be told over and over again, laughter that will never be forgotten, and a love that will continue through the generations that come after him.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, DeAnna Casciari of Gorum, Louisiana; his daughters, Crystal Daniels of Gorum, Louisiana; Clara Casciari of Elm Grove, Louisiana; and Brittany Desadier (Charley) of Robeline, Louisiana; his son, Carmello Mayo Leo Casciari Jr. of Tensas, Louisiana; and his grandchildren, Klarissa Cedars, Karen Cedars, Paul Cedars, Cadera Casciari, Cash Coutee, Bentley Casciari, Domenick Casciari, Kianoa Hanato, Kaela Hanato, and Jaisley Paige. Neveah Doherty.

Carmello is also survived by his brother, Craig Jones (Carolyn) of Pineville, Louisiana; sisters, Ermunda Yazdani (Ahmed) of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Clara Coutee of Pineville, Louisiana, and Leva McDaniel of Gorum, Louisiana; sister-in-law Trina Paddie of Big Springs Texas, Shawn Hereford (John) of Leesville Louisiana; brother-in-law, Ralph Daniels of Texas; and those who may not have shared his last name, but were family in every way that mattered: Paige Edwards of Pitkin, Louisiana; Paul Cedars of Gorum, Louisiana; and Jason Hanato of Keanu, Hawaii.

He also leaves behind countless nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will forever carry a piece of him in their hearts.

He also leaves behind his faithful buddy and pal, Vato the Chihuahua.

Carmello was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Francis Basco; his father, William Normand McDaniel; his biological father, Domenick Casciari; his father-in-law, Bennie Lee Daniels; his mother-in-law, Ella Mae Daniels; his brother, Cannon Paddie; his brother-in-law, Kenneth Coutee; his daughter-in-law, Tessa Brooke Coutee; and his grandsons, Andrew Wesley Daniels and Anthony Casciari.

Services:

The family will celebrate Carmello’s life and memory on Monday, August 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church Hall in Gorum Louisiana.

A private family viewing will be held at 3:00 p.m.

Carmello will be laid to rest on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at Campbell Creek Cemetery in Sharp, Louisiana, following a brief service at 1:00 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church Hall, where he will then be taken to his eternal resting place.

Pallbearers: Carmello Casciari, Charley Desadier, Paul Cedars, Cameron Yazdani, Andrew Daniels, and Joseph McArthur.

Honorary Pallbearers: Paul Cedars Jr., Caleb Paddie, and Craig Paddie, Timothy Coutee, Jonathan McArthur.

Carmello’s earthly fight may have come to an end, but his story will never end.

It will live on in the children he loved, the grandchildren he adored, the family he protected, the friends who knew him, the tattoos he left behind, the stories that will be told for years to come, and in every room where someone hears a laugh that reminds them of him.

Don’t worry, Daddy. We’ll take care of Lamb Chop from here