Malcolm Francis Lequeux

Malcolm Francis Lequeux, 90, Commander USNR (retired) passed away Friday, June 5, 2009. He was born to Albert Jean Lequeux and Agnes Pearl Moss Lequeux on January 14, 1919 on the family farm, near Henry, LA. He married Velma Lou LeBlanc on June 25, 1944, in Port Arthur, TX. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Clyde Lequeux. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Velma Lou LeBlanc Lequeux; children, Blayne Lequeux and wife Barbara, Diane Lequeux Van Kempen and husband Jay, Lydia Lequeux Dombrowski and ex-husband Donald, and Julie Lequeux Ewald and husband John David (J. D.); grandchildren, Karen Lequeux Pfeifer and husband Daren Pfeifer, David Lequeux and wife Elizabeth Foo Lequeux, Suzanne Lequeux, Tracey Van Kempen, Katherine Dombrowski and husband George McCullough, Elizabeth Dombrowski, John L. Ewald and wife Brigid Spackman Ewald, and Jennifer Ewald Green and husband Matthew; and great-granddaughters, Beth and Sarah Green. He graduated from Henry High School in Henry, LA in 1934, received his BA from Southwestern Louisiana Institute (University of Louisiana at Lafayette) in 1940, and completed his Masters of Education, at the University of Houston. Malcolm completed US Naval Officer Candidate School at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL. One bitter, cold night, he recalled being awakened to stand watch on the roof of one of the university buildings. Only later did he learn the purpose of this assignment. The date was December 7, 1941 – the day Pearl Harbor was attacked. Malcolm served in the Pacific Theater during WW II and in the Korean Conflict. He remained in the US Naval Reserve for a total of 30 years of service, acting as the Commander of several USNR training centers, including Austin. Malcolm and his wife taught for many years in Port Arthur. He served as junior high school teacher, guidance counselor, principal, and district administrator. Malcolm touched the lives of many students, helping them find employment and scholarships to make their college dreams come true. Upon their retirement in 1979, he and Velma Lou moved to Austin, TX, where they became active members of St. Theresa Catholic Church. They used the city as their home base for extensive world travel. Always an active man, Malcolm enjoyed long walks, aerobics and yoga, well into his eighties. He had a grip of steel until the day of his passing. Malcolm was a kind and gentle man. He was the perfect husband, being a marvelous cook, carpenter, and a great "Mr. Fix-it." Malcolm had a green thumb and was an avid naturalist. His fascination with the outdoors was an inspiration to his family. His grandchildren have fond memories of eating his shrimp creole, playing marbles, picking wild grapes, building with his tools, and playing with creepy crawlers. The family offers their deepest appreciation for the warm care provided to Malcolm by the many doctors, nurses and caregivers from Westminster Manor Health Care Center, the Medical Team, and Heart to Heart Hospice. We are particularly indebted to Melwyn Cypress, who was devoted to both Malcolm and Velma Lou for three years. A celebration of Malcolm's life will be held in Austin, TX and Erath, LA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his name to the Retina Research Foundation, 7200 B Cambridge St., Houston, Texas 77030-2715, (713) 797-1925, www.retinaresearchfnd.org, or to the charity of your choice.