Gary Francis Jourdan

Gary started his interest in mechanics at twelve-years-old as a hobby, and it lead him to never really working a day in his life, as his passion was truly mechanics, and that’s what started his career. He was in the Coast Guard reserves and worked simultaneously as a postman. After, he was in the coast guard, he started his own mobile mechanic business. During his time as a mobile mechanic, he assisted those who broke down on the side of the road. He found success in this even without advertising, as he was well-known to all. Later, he went back to school to further his career as a mechanic and expanded his skills to hydraulic and diesel fueled vehicles. Throughout his career he fixed forklifts, cranes, boats, cars- you name it, he did it! He even took part in rebuilding the Higgins Boat for The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. He also drove bus 227 for Jefferson Parish Schools at the same time he worked for Atlas Steel and Wire, where he greatly cared about the kids he drove.

Gary has been a parishioner of St. Catherine of Siena Church for many years, but he could be considered a true “Roaming” Catholic as he frequented many different churches; it’s impossible to determine just how many churches he roamed, but apart from St. Catherine of Sienna, he also attended St. Christopher’s, St. Patrick’s for the Latin masses, and many more. He had a long history with St. Catherine’s and throughout his life, he always found his way back to that specific church. It’s even where he married his beloved beautiful bride of almost 57 years, Beverly Broussard Jourdan, on May 23, 1964.

Gary took a great interest in hot-rods and anything involving old cars; he was a part of multiple car groups and took part in any event he could. He also was an avid fisherman, and as he became too unsteady to fish himself, he even took to watching fishing on TV. Gary held a great love for cooking and woodworking. Above all, he loved his family and friends and was always helping those in need in any way he could.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, John Matthew Jourdan and Anna Federico Jourdan; brother, Will T. Jourdan (Lois); and sister, Lynn Jourdan Conley; brother-in-law Thomas Melinie (Juanita); and his sister-in-law, Betty Broussard Swanson (Cecil).

He is survived by his beautiful bride, Beverly Broussard Jourdan; daughter, Gae Lynn Jourdan-Knight (Steven); and grandsons, Ronnie and Ian Knight. Gary had an extremely close bond with his grandsons and raised them as his own. He always wanted sons and was thrilled to have grandsons. He is also survived by his sisters Joan Jourdan Douville (Robert), Ann Jourdan Breaud (Norbert), Mary Jourdan Meyers (Chris); brothers-in-law, Warren Melinie and Phillip Melinie; sister-in-law Ann Melinie-Burghardt-Diech (Ken); many nieces and nephews, and his godchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Catherine of Sienna Church on Friday, December 18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at the church beginning at 1:00 p.m.

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