Donald "Don" Percy Rougon was born February 7, 1962, in Baton Rouge, LA, the son of the late Percy V. Rougon and Louise Rougon. A loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he died Tuesday, June 11, 2025, at the age of 83. He was married to Sadie Lindsay Oliver of Baton Rouge, LA.
Don grew up in Rougon, LA, surrounded by sugarcane farmland on property passed down by his French ancestors from Rougon, France. He graduated from Rougon High School and helped his relatives in The Rougon Store as a teenager and later earned a BS degree in Industrial Technology from LSU.
He was employed 44 years at Ethyl Corporation, which later became Albemarle Corporation, and then Shaw. He retired from the Engineering Department in 2009.
Don was an excellent craftsman and the neighborhood handyman. His workshop was often filled with curious children, friends, and family who had no idea what kind of equipment they were actually looking at. A metal lathe, drill press, or wood planer might be running late into the evening or all weekend long. And when the machines were not running, he was drafting plans with penmanship that rivaled that of an architect. He created the Ross Downing (originally Oliver Downing) logo you see on cars in South Louisiana today in his natural cursive.
He took pride in everything he made and was always willing to fix things—whether for friends, family, or neighbors. It may have taken a long time, but everything he did was completed with absolute precision: from shooting a perfect shot from the hip to rebuilding car engines, dancing with his wife, waterskiing, or caring for animals. He would visit the workshops of others and clean up their tools and work on their broken equipment.
He shared all of these passions with his children, grandchildren, and anyone willing to pay attention. He adored LSU football and inherited his father's four tickets—his father having been a professor at LSU. Those seats brought cherished memories for his children and later his grandchildren, and remain in the family today.
Don was a devout Catholic. He wore a scapular around his neck, never missed Mass on Sundays, and lived his faith with quiet devotion.
He is survived by his wife, Lindsay; his children, Joseph Major Rougon and daughter-in-law Becky Felder Rougon of Denham Springs and Virginia Lindsay Rougon of Oxford, MS; his grandchildren, Hunter Joseph Rougon and Christine Ridenour, Hannah Rougon Bowlin and husband Brady Bowlin, Bazil Major Chavis, and Ruby Maude Chavis; and great-grandchildren Cohen Gurrola, Jamison Rougon, Lochlan Rougon, Graham Bowlin, and Landry Bowlin.
He is also survived by his sister, Lynn Rougon Barr, and her husband, Michael Barr, and nieces Michelle Barr and Anne Barr.
The family wishes to thank Dr. Burke J. Brooks, Dr. Hussain at Ochsner Hospital, Dr. Sultan & staff at Lane Memorial Hospital, and all caregivers at the Lodge at Lane in Zachary, LA.
Visitation will be held on June 13 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, LA, at 1 p.m., followed by a memorial celebratory Mass at 2 p.m., with Father Jeff Bayhi officiating. Those attending the service are asked to wear purple and gold. Pallbearers are Hunter Rougon, Bazil Chavis, Parish Oliver, Garett Spring, and Charles Valluzzo. Honorary pallbearers are Mitch Richardson, Charles Grey, Johnnie Seal, Tooley Townes, Jackie Grantham, Chris Choppin, and Gary Smith.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to: Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810.
