Mitchell Templet Jr.

Mitchell A. Templet Jr., 78, passed away at 10:15 p.m. Friday, April 29, 2011, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. A resident of Baton Rouge, he was a native of Plaquemine. As a Navy veteran he served his country aboard the USS New Jersey during the Korean War. He retired from Exxon as an operator with 28 years of service. Preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife of 48 years, Patricia D'Aquila Templet; parents, Mitchell A. Templet Sr. and Ora Mae Brown Templet; and Patricia's parents, Frank and Velma Stutzman D'Aquila. He is survived by three children, a daughter, Michelle T. Dearie and husband Dennis, and two sons, Patrick G. Templet, and Francis M. Templet and fiancée Heidi Hartley; his favorite granddaughter, Celeste M. Dearie; and a brother, Roland J. Templet, all of Baton Rouge. Visitation at Greenoaks Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, on Monday, May 2, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Visitation at St. Thomas More Catholic Church on Tuesday, May 3, from 1 p.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 1:30 p.m. Interment to follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Dennis Dearie, Andrew D'Aquilla, Johnny Bjorndahl, V.J. Vicknair, Dewayne Woodard and Kenny Chauvin. Honorary pallbearers are Frank, Michael and Billy D'Aquilla, Hubert "Bootsie" Chauvin and Wallace Aymond. Mitchell was an avid reader of many subjects but it was history that fueled his desire for the written word. Whenever he'd talk "history" it gave you the feeling that he'd been there and actually witnessed it. He was a member and staunch supporter of the National Rifle Association. For more than 35 years he owned and operated Templet's Gun Shop. He was a master gunsmith. There wasn't anything on a gun he couldn't fix or make. During his retirement years you'd seldom see him without a book in his hands or sitting at his workbench repairing someone's pistol or rifle. If there was anything he enjoyed or looked forward to more, it was the yearly trip he took with Patricia to Washington, D.C. Visiting Frank was the highlight of many years. The other side of Mitchell was his willingness to help family and friends. Even when things were tight, he'd never say "no." Many of us are thankful for the big heart he had. Selfish was never in his vocabulary. The family would like to thank the nurses and caregivers in the CICU unit at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Baton Rouge Hospice. The warmth, love and compassion shown us will never be forgotten. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge LA 70810.