Christopher Lester Lomongo "Mongo"

Christopher Lester Lomongo, more popularly now known to his beloved community as “Mongo,” a resident of Kenner, LA, was called to be with our Lord and Savior unexpectedly on July 30, 2022 at the age of 36.

Chris was born on November 21, 1985 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Crispin and Lilia Lomongo. He is survived by his mother, Lilia Lomongo; sisters Christie Lomongo Jones and Leann Lomongo Vinson; brothers-in-law Adam Jones and Grant Vinson; niece Malaya Jones; nephews Luke Jones, Wells Vinson, and Trace Vinson. He was preceded in death by his father Crispin Lomongo.

Chris grew up in Kenner and attended St. Philip Neri (SPN) and Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie. At SPN, his love for volleyball was born as he was on the boys’ volleyball team during his middle school years. In high school, this love transitioned to beach volleyball . He became known as the “Flying Hawaiian” on the courts. At his 2004 Rummel graduation where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, he received the prestigious Jean Baptiste de La Salle award for being an excellent Christian. Chris bled purple and gold and graduated from Louisiana State University in 2009. In addition to playing volleyball, he also enjoyed playing basketball and poker with friends, fishing, and being around the beach. He was also a diehard LSU and Saints fan.

Chris was a dedicated Christian. The foundation of his faith started with his Filipino Catholic upbringing. He was very involved with SPN CYO, Campus Ministry, and TEC (Teens Encounter Christ). He was a passionate member of the TEC community for decades, where he found joy in working retreats and sharing his love to others like Christ.

Chris worked at Treasure Chest Casino (TCC) for 12 years, serving as a Supervisor of Transportation. In addition to working at TCC, Chris also worked as a referee at White Sands (WS) Beach Volleyball. You could find him there pretty much everyday. Whenever he wasn’t refereeing, he was there playing or just hanging out with his WS family. White Sands was truly his home away from home.

Chris was always the fun Tito, sharing his outpouring love with his niece and nephews. He loved to teach them about chess, video games, how to quote movies, and just to chill and not to worry about anything. He is remembered by Luke and Malaya as “always smiling and having fun”. He is remembered by Wells and Trace as “loving to play”.

Our family was not expecting for Chris’s life to be so tragically cut short so soon. We are all devastated by this huge loss, and he will be forever missed. He was born with the kindest heart, a big smile for everyone he met, and a “live everyday to the fullest” attitude. Like his father, Cris, he will be remembered as the life of every party! There was no hiding his presence, and his loss is deeply felt. He would not want to be remembered in a sad way, but he would rather for us all to raise a glass and celebrate his life- the beautiful life that he loved so much!

In lieu of flowers make a gift in Chris’s name to Teens Encounter Christ at 2241 Mendez St, New Orleans, LA 70122. Online gifts at https://tecconference.org/donate/ will go to the New Orleans chapter of TEC.

Visitation will be held on Friday August 5, 2022 from 6:00 pm until 9:00 PM at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, LA. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 5:30 pm at St Philip Neri Catholic Church, 6500 Kawanee Ave, Metairie, LA. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday August 6, 2022 at 6:30 pm at St Philip Neri Catholic Church, 6500 Kawanee Ave, Metairie, LA. Following mass there will be a celebration of Mongo’s life at Seeger’s Sand Bar at White Sands, 1001 N Al Davis Rd, Elmwood, LA 70123.

Interment will be private at Garden of Memories Cemetery at a later date.

The online guestbook is available at www.leitzeaganfuneralhome.com.