John Wilfred Leger
John Wilfred Leger, 91, of Jennings passed away Monday, Jan. 25, 2021, at Jennings American Legion Hospital.
John was born Feb. 2, 1929, in Lafayette. In November of 1948, he married Tommie L Howard of Lake Arthur, who he courted by flying over her home and dropping comic books to impress her. It must have worked, as they were married for 65 years.
During retirement, he enjoyed traveling and fishing and spending time with family and friends, especially his grandkids. John also loved working on anything mechanicaL He was always tinkering in his garage or riding his tractor around his property. He cherished his lifelong friendships with his four childhood buddies, Franklin Hildebrand, Jimmy Hart, Robert Houssiere and William Langley. He also had a coffee group that met daily (prior to the pandemic) who he fondly referred to as “The Old Farts Club.”
John was a hard-working guy with an incredible work ethic. He worked at Jennings newspaper at age 13 and got his pilot license at age 16. He later was part of a seismograph crew and, in 1953 at age 24, he started his 36-year career with Shell Oil Company, where he worked his way through various positions from a roustabout on offshore rigs to management at One Shell Square in New Orleans.
John is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Leger Marcantel (Kenneth) of Jennings, Chris Leger Christina of Jennings, Paula Leger Pope (John) of Houston and Flori Leger Rhodes (Brett) of New Orleans; his grandchildren, Lauren Christina (Jess) of Charleston, Ill., Claire Pope currently in veterinary school in St. Kitts, J.D. Pope of Spokane, Wash., and Kyle Pope (Megan) of Arlington, Vir.; and his sister, Eula Matte of Forked Island.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Tommie L Howard Leger; his son, John W. Leger, Jr. (”Johnny"); his daughter, Susan A. Leger; and his parents, Effie and Clarence Leger and Florastine and Delma Leger.
A private funeral service will be held this Friday. However, a memorial service will be arranged at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rise Behavioral Health and Wellness (run by eldest granddaughter) at 114 W. Houghton St., Tuscola, IL 61953 or online at risedoco.com.
Funds collected will be used to provide assistance to those whose mental health has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.