Joseph "Stan" Legleu

Joseph Stanley Legleu was born on September 25, 1945, to Clovis and Sophie Legleu in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the youngest of nine children and, by all accounts, a man who spent the rest of his life making sure everyone around him felt like family. As the baby of the house, T-Boo was very spoiled by his sisters, and those who knew him would say he never quite lost that charm.

Stan graduated from Baker High School in 1963 and went on to attend LSU before serving his country in the Army Reserves. He built a long and distinguished career beginning as a draftsman, moving onto Piping Department Resource Leader and Senior Project Manager, and held many other positions across several engineering firms. His work took him far from home, a Paris apartment overlooking the Eiffel Tower to the streets of Dubai. But, his heart always stayed close to the people he loved.

It all began in November 1965, when Stan spotted a girl named Linda Chauvin outside a friend's home. He thought she was pretty. She thought he was handsome and funny. Their first date took them to Pat O'Brien's in New Orleans, and by the time the long drive home was over, they both knew something special had started. For the next three years they were inseparable, dancing, flying kites, riding bikes, and spending nearly every evening with Mom and Pop Legleu.

On November 23, 1968, Stan married his sweetheart, Linda Chauvin at St. Pius Catholic Church, a love story that would span 56 years and a lifetime of memories. Together they raised three daughters: Kerri, Kori, and Kandice, and built a home that was always open, always warm, and always full.

Stan had a gift for fatherhood that extended well beyond his own family. He became a mentor, a guide, and a father figure to countless friends, coworkers, and "adopted" children over the years. His daughters never once felt crowded by the love he gave so freely, because his heart, they'll tell you, simply had room for everyone. In every sense of the word, Stan was the Gleu that bound people together.

That generosity of spirit showed up most beautifully in how he and Linda lived their faith quietly and without fanfare. After Hurricane Katrina, the two of them drove to a church to drop off donations for evacuees and met an elderly couple who had fled New Orleans with almost nothing. Stan looked at Linda and asked, "Do you want to bring them home?" She said yes. And so they did; opening their home without hesitation, without complaint, and with every bit of kindness a person could offer. It was exactly the kind of thing those who loved him came to expect. As one of his daughters once said, their love and compassion was something the whole family aspired to, because they got to watch it up close every single day.

His grandchildren will always remember rides through the neighborhood in his favorite John Deere lawnmower and trailer. He poured love into each and everyone of them. He was an encouraging sports mentor, a gentle driving instructor, and a strong hand to guide them through life. Some of the best shared memories will come from family beach vacations. Every trip has a great story, even when those stories ended in him turning back around to pick someone up from Florabama shortly after dropping them off. That was just a part of him loving his people. But, perhaps nothing captures who Paw Paw was more than the way he stood beside his grandchildren in their moments of doubt. One grandchild remembers learning to golf and being terrified to hit over the water, afraid of losing the ball. Stan never let that fear win. He'd stand right there — calm, patient, and sure — encouraging the shot every time. The first time the ball finally cleared the water, he pulled them into a big hug and said, "I knew you could do it." That was Stan. He had a way of believing in people before they believed in themselves, and for those lucky enough to be loved by him, his belief became their own. He will always be remembered by his way he stood beside his grandchildren in their moments of doubt. Stan never let that fear win. He had a way of believing in people before they believed in themselves. Those of us who are lucky enough to be loved by him will pass on this love generation to generation.

Stan is survived by his beloved wife, Linda Chauvin Legleu; his children, Kerri and Mike Neal, Kori and Michael Buxton, Kandice Legleu and Scott Allen; grandchildren Jordan & Riley Neal, Ashton Legleu, Kylie & Cameron Reed, Josie Neal, Lanie Neal, Gabe & Karli Buxton, Abigail & Jobi Riggs, Zachary Buxton, great-grandchildren Harper Reed and Ella Buxton; his sister Connie Legleu; and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, and friends who were lucky enough to know him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clovis and Sophie, and his siblings Kenneth, Betty, Lois, Ruth, Ruby, Pete, and Jack.

Joseph Stanley Legleu leaves behind a legacy measured not only in accomplishments, but also in people: the ones he lifted up, the ones he loved without condition, and the ones who will carry him forward by living purposefully with love, shaped by the hope and faith he instilled in them.

Visitation will be held at St. Theresa Of Avila Catholic Church, 1022 N Burnside Ave, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737, on April 27, 2026, beginning at 9:30 am.

A Funeral Service will be held at St. Theresa Of Avila Catholic Church, 1022 N Burnside Ave, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737, on April 27, 2026, beginning at 11:00 am.

Following the funeral service, there will be a Celebration of Life held at Mike Anderson’s Restaurant, 1500 Louisiana 30 W, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737, on April 27, 2026, beginning at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Stan’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. https://fundraising.stjude.org/site/TR?px=9223412&fr_id=154020&pg=personal