James David Square, Jr., lovingly known as J.D. Square, age 93, of Hammond, LA, departed this life on August 31, 2024. He was born on February 24, 1931, in Hammond, LA, to his parents Phonix De’Lafayette Square and Marjorie Elizabeth Varnado Square. He was the oldest of 11 children, born to their union.
He graduated from Hammond Colored High School in 1951, lending his lyrical tenor voice to the school’s glee club. Shortly after graduation, J.D. decided to enlist in military service, choosing Air Force as his branch.
MSgt Square served his country in the United States Air Force for 24 years 7 months, retiring on December 31, 1975. His primary role during his tenure was as a Cargo Aircraft Loadmaster, flying aboard various military aircraft, including C-47, C-119, C-123. He concluded his career logging over 10,000 flight hours in his favorite aircraft, the C-130 Hercules. He described his missions as “many bases, many places, many faces”, spanning the globe to every continent.
In 1957, Sgt Square became reacquainted with Earline Walker of Springfield, LA. Their joyous union began when they joined hands and hearts in marriage on Thanksgiving Day 1957.
After retiring from his military service, MSgt Square returned home to serve his community through civic and church leadership roles. He was an avid supporter of public school education and local performing arts youth development programs. He was a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3652. He lived out the rest of his life as a prolific agricultural producer at his farm in “Hamatoula”.
J.D. Square, Jr. is survived by his beloved children: Mark (Jean)Square of Hammond; Lisa Square Garrett of Griffin, GA; James Ivan Square of Ponchatoula; Marjorie Lynn Square (Foster) Brown of Natalbany; and David Earl Square of Hammond. PawPaw is also survived by grandchildren Lacey, Jonathan, Baylen, Shauna, Jacob, Joseph, Jillian, Mia Hanna, Theodora, Jared, and Alfred, great grandchildren. As known as Uncle James and Uncle Daddy by a host of nieces, nephews, and other extended family. He is also survived by two sisters, Marjorie Lorraine Square Page and Brenda Square Smith, both of Minnesota, and sister-in-law Winnie Walker Ashton of Springfield, LA.
J.D. is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Earline Walker Square, affectionately known to him as “Ler”; his parents, Phonix and Marjorie; his siblings: Lawrence, Phoenix, Lamar, Arrealia, Faye, Dianne, Chyrell, and Patricia; and his granddaughter Dalancia Square.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services at Greenfield Missionary Baptist Church, 100 J W Davis Dr, Hammond, LA 70403, on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 11:00am with visitation beginning at 9:00am.
A private military burial, under the direction and care of Grace Funeral Home, will be conducted at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell, LA.
