Ivy Joseph Garon

Retired president of Latil Stationery Co. and a resident of Baton Rouge, he died at 7:40 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, at Ollie Steele Burden Manor. He was 92, born April 24, 1915, in Ventress to Lucille and Toby Garon. His father died when he was 15 months old, so in his early adulthood he stayed with his mother to help with the family and the farm, thereby perfecting his cooking and baking skills. He attended Lambert Baking School in St. Louis, then opened his own bakery on Main Street. Drafted in 1942, he continued those baking skills all through World War II until 1945. Returning home, he joined the family business as president of Latil Stationery. He, along with his wife, Jan, ran the store until their retirement. During that time, many brides who ordered wedding invitations from Latil's also enjoyed a handmade, custom-decorated wedding cake. St. Agnes, Catholic High, Academy of the Sacred Heart, Phi Kappa Theta, Boy Scouts, St. Joseph Cathedral, CYO and many churches and other organizations benefited from his cooking and decorating skills. He, along with his wife, Jan, were honored with the St. Joseph Apprentice Award. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council 969. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucille and Toby Garon; brothers, Russell, Toby and Adolph Garon; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Claude and Lettie Latil; and granddaughter, Michelle Latil Garon. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Janith Latil Garon; son, Claude Garon, Ph.D., and wife Sally, of Hamilton, Mont.; daughter, Gay and husband Jim Boudreaux, of Baton Rouge; sister, Bernice Richard, of Baker; granddaughter, Anne and husband Brian Gannon, and their children, Jack and Ivy Gannon, of Lakeside, Mont.; granddaughter, Julie Garon, serving in the Peace Corps in Namibia, Africa; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation at St. Joseph Cathedral on Tuesday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. until funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., concelebrated by the Rev. Gerard Young, the Rev. Frank Uter and the Rev. J. Clifton Hill. Pallbearers will be Jim Boudreaux, Claude Daviet, Greg Wynn, Bradley Bates, Denny Braud and Jimmy Garon. Honorary pallbearers are Allie Landry and David Kendrick. The family wishes to thank Dr. Patrick Gahan, the wonderful caretakers at St. James Place and Unit 2 at Ollie Steele Burden Manor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge CYO or your favorite charity.