Neal F. Pendleton Jr.

Neal F. Pendleton, Jr. a native of New Orleans, died on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the age of 84. He was a registered Architect and graduate of the Tulane University School of Architecture. He was also a graduate of Alcee Fortier High School and had attended Carnegie Institute of Technology. He was a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. In 1964, after having worked for a number of architectural firms and having established his own firm at 612 Gravier Street, he was appointed Director of Planning and Construction for the Jefferson Parish School Board and retained that position until 1972. Mr. Pendleton publically promulgated several Bond issues the Board needed for the purpose of land and the construction of schools. During that time his department helped in the necessary land acquisitions, and reviewed for Board approval, all architecturally designed plans by outside professionals. During his tenure as director, many elementary, middle, and senior schools were designed and constructed. The Construction Department also supervised in the repair of schools damaged by hurricanes, and the design of emergency housing in the form of mobile units and covered walkways for every school in the parish. Because of legal mandates it was sometimes necessary to respond quickly with adequate design and construction to satisfy enrollment and this task was provided by the Department. After eight years as Director, Mr. Pendleton had met almost every architect, engineer, and construction contractor in the parish, and in 1972 resigned his position as Director to work with the Waldemar S. Nelson Company, Engineers and Architects. In 1977, he helped organize the first Architectural Department for the Walk Haydel Company, Engineers, after which he established his own firm once again that involved several school projects for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in Ama, Louisiana. He also completed a number of jobs in collaboration with the Julius Payne Construction Company that specialized in metal building design. Mr. Pendleton served in Korea with the First Marine Division as a member in the Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company. He was a member of the Engineers Club, the Pendennis Club, and the Pickwick Club. He was also past Governor of Founders and Patriots of America, and a member of Founders of the City of New Orleans. He was also a member of St. Benedicts Catholic Church in Covington, Louisiana. He was the son of the late Paula DuFouchar de Gruy, and Capt. Neal F. Pendleton, Sr. USNR. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine Sheehy Pendleton, and was married to the late Patricia McCarthy Pendleton. He is further survived by the children of his first marriage who are Patricia Tanner of Baton Rouge, La., Neal F. Pendleton III of Baton Rouge, La., Jennifer Macdonald of Lafayette, La., Dr. Robin Pendleton of Rutherfordton, North Carolina, and Rebecca Rorie of Springdale, Arkansas. He is also survived by twenty-five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 1:00PM. Interment will follow at Metairie Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:00AM. Contributions of remembrance may be made to the Shrine of St. Pio of Pietrelcina at the church of St. John the Baptist, 213 W. 30th St., New York, NY 10001.

To view and sign the guest book, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.