Cilton James Guillory

Longtime resident of Baton Rouge and WWII Veteran died Monday August 14, 2017 at Flannery Oaks Guest House at the age of 102. He was a native of Hessmer, LA.

C. J. graduated from Hessmer High School on June 1, 1932. In 1934, he moved to New Orleans and got a job at the New Orleans Broom Factory working in the warehouse. He later attended Soule College at night and took accounting courses. He graduated from Soule College in December 1935.

In 1941, he was inducted into the U.S. Army and sent to Camp Shelby in Mississippi and later transferred to Fort Lee Virginia for basic training. During his military career, he served in the Quartermaster Corps in Northern Ireland during 1942. In 1943, he was sent back to the United States for Officers Candidate School where he graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1944, he was sent to North Africa and served in the Military Police. Upon his return back to the United States in 1946, he continued to serve in the Army Reserves and retired as a Major.

In 1946 he went to work for GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corporation) until 1947 when he moved back to Baton Rouge. He left GMAC for a position at Peterson Chevrolet and worked there until 1958 when Polk Chevrolet was established. After Mr. Polk’s death, Polk Chevrolet was acquired by Gerry Lane where CJ worked full time until 2009 when he broke his hip. His dedication to Gerry Lane led him to continue to work until he broke his second hip in 2013 at the age of 98.

He truly loved his job and the people he worked with and he touched the hearts of all that he came in contact with.

His family was the joy of his life and he was always interested in everything they did. Great memories for the grand children were sleepovers at his house and teaching them to drive in parking lots. Dance recitals and ball games were also a must. In recent years, the great grand children re-energized him as each one was born, including the last great grand baby boy born on father’s day this year. The Guillory legacy lives on.

He was preceded in death by his biological mother Louisa Normand (who passed away when CJ was 9 months old), his stepmother Volcie Mayeux, his stepsister Annie Mae Drouin, and two wives Gertrude Dupuis Guillory and Byrdie Gauthier Guillory. He is survived by his three children: Cynthia Collins (and husband Charles of Greenville, MS), Warren Guillory (and wife Jeanette of Baton Rouge, LA), Francis Guillory (and wife Nancy of Baton Rouge, LA); seven grandchildren: Cyd Collins (of Farmerville, LA), Charles Collins (and wife Angela of Bauxite, AR), Curt Collins (and wife Tara of Tuscaloosa, AL), Angie Crochet (and husband Glenn of Baton Rouge, LA), Kelli Freeman (and husband Lance of Baton Rouge, LA), Jason Guillory (and wife Katie of Gonzales, LA) and Gina Jeansonne (and husband Bryan of Mandeville, LA). He also leaves behind eight beloved great grandchildren: Darcey, Charley, Roy, Lily, Addison, Ava, Ainsley and Jackson.

Visitation will be Friday August 18th from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Greenoaks Funeral Home, Florida Blvd and will resume on Saturday August 19th at 11:00 am at St. Patricks Catholic Church, 12424 Brogdon Lane until funeral service at noon. Interment at Greenoaks Memorial Gardens.

The family would like to thank the staff at Williamsburg Senior Living Community and the staff at Flannery Oaks Guest House for the exceptional care they gave CJ during his time spent at both places.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of choice.

“Sieta Affendy … Qice Awasukra”