Walter Gregory ‘Greg’ Arnette Jr.

Wednesday, May 23, 2018
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Walter Gregory “Greg” Arnette Jr. died in the early hours of May 16, 2018, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene Russell Arnette; his children, Walter Gregory (Corky) Arnette III and wife Rebecca McLaughlin Arnette of Houma, Leigh Elizabeth Arnette of Baton Rouge, Joseph Gregory (Joe) Arnette and friend Kelley Marlowe of Baton Rouge, Daniel Wade (Dan) Arnette and wife Brandi Arnette of Bossier City; sister, Judith Arnette George and husband Jim of Baton Rouge; Celia Joe Black, ex-wife, of Jennings; his grandchildren, Mason Dominic Arnette, Samantha Pierce Arnette, Natalie Anne Arnette, Castille Golden Robinson, Cru Wade Arnette, Harley Marie Arnette and Emma Riley Arnette; stepchildren, Stephen Reed and wife Maria Reed, Brandon Reed, Matthew Reed, and Kristie Reed and husband Kevin Pigg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille Marie Arnette and Walter Gregory Arnette Sr.

Greg was universally acknowledged to be one of the last real Renaissance men of our time and a truly classic raconteur of good times, laughs, the best Boudreaux and Thibodeaux joke teller anywhere (his Clothile and the Blue Crabs story was one of the best and funniest jokes ever told!), a grill chef par excellence whose BBQ chicken was unmatched, as was his gumbo, his devotion to his family was absolute, with the Annual Christmas at Pop’s the entire family looked forward to every year. He loved his bridge games and all the close friendships he made at the Baton Rouge Bridge Center.

He was an Eagle Scout, the highest level of achievement in the Boy Scouts, and was always very proud of his service to his Country in the United States Army where he achieved the rank of Captain.

Subsequent to his military service, he entered the Paul M. Hebert Law Center where he earned a Juris Doctor degree and entered private practice in his hometown of Jennings and was later elected to the office of District Attorney, in which office he served for one term of six years.

After years in the private practice of law, he decided on a change of career and entered Texas Wesleyan University, which awarded him a Master’s Degree in Health Science with a Concentration in Anesthesia. He was granted certification as a CRNA, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and served for a time as an Adjunct Professor of Anesthesia at L.S.U. Shreveport. In 2001, Gov. Mike Foster appointed him to Chair a Legislative Committee on the Law relating to Anesthesia.

Greg also served as a Delegate to the 1973 Constitutional Convention, was a dedicated life loyal member of Sigma Chi and also served as the President of the Lions Club of Jennings.

Pallbearers were Joe Arnette, Dan Arnette, Walter Arnette, Mason Arnette, Matt Reed, Pat Reed, Sean Hintz and Doug Barberousse.

Honorary pallbearers were Brock George and Jim George.

Visitation was held at Resthaven Funeral Home in Baton Rouge on Saturday, May 19, 2018, from 11 a.m. until funeral service at 1 p.m.

Burial immediately followed in Resthaven Gardens of Memory.

There will be a visitation/memorial reception on May 25, 2018, in Jennings for local friends and family to pay respects. It will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Zigler Art Museum.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal message to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.

Published in Jennings Daily News May 23, 2018