Benjamin Leo Spann

Benjamin Leo Spann Jr. died at his home at 8 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2007. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas, but was a longtime resident of Baton Rouge. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Baton Rouge High School. Leo played in the LSU Tiger Band; later spending many years in the press box with his Uncle Feltus Stirling taking high-speed movies for the LSU football team. He remained a loyal Tiger fan to the end. Leo was a member of Delta Sigma Pi, an international business fraternity, and received his bachelor of science degree in business administration. To help pay for college, he operated elevators at the new state Capitol building. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in the combat engineers, where he attained the rank of staff sergeant and spent several years in the South Pacific. He joined American Legion Nicholson Post 38 and remained a member until his death. Leo retired after 28 years of service with Blue Cross of Louisiana. After retirement, Leo and his brother, Delroy, were regulars at the LSU swimming pools, doing laps at least three times a week until he was 86. He received many Senior Olympic awards. He was a lifelong member of St. James Episcopal Church. Leo is survived by his wife of 58 years, Celeste Ragnhild Rordam; two sons, Bobby and Benny; daughters-in-law, Connie and Pat; and grandchildren, Kevin, Joseph, Patrick and Shelly Spann and Chris Vidrine. He is also survived by his brother, Delroy; and sisters-in-law, Marion, Herta and Gene. Surviving nieces and nephews include Bill and Janie, Ronnie and Sheryl, Baxter and Patti, Grey, Sheryl Spann and Lydia Spann Neustrom; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Leo Spann Sr. and Margaret Stirling Spann; brothers, William and Louis; and grandparents, Mary Elizabeth Mumford and William Leake Stirling. Pallbearers will be Bill Spann, Ronnie Spann, Baxter Spann, Grey Spann, Chip Stirling, Bill Stirling, Matthew Magnuson and Ralph Kelleher. Honorary pallbearer is O.B. Romero. Special thanks to St. Joseph's Hospice. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., was on Thursday, May 17, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Visitation at St. James Episcopal Church on Friday from 9 a.m. until service at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Mark Holland. Interment in Magnolia Cemetery.