John Charles Hazard

John Charles Hazard, affectionately known as "Jack", died peacefully on May 3, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born in West Point, Mississippi, on October 2, 1927, he was the son of Mark Gordon Hazard and Virginia Wyatt Hazard. Jack is survived by his three loving children, Gail Bergin (Ned), Mary Hines (Bill), and John Hazard Jr., his six grandchildren, Court Carrère (Lauren), Jacques Carrère (Jill), Walker Hines, Mary Wyatt Hines Milano (Kerry), Reid Bergin van der Vink (Nick), and Ashland Hines Odom (Blake), and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his devoted companion of many years, Cynthia Perrilliat, as well as her daughter Malise Perrilliat, with whom he enjoyed a special friendship, and other family members.

Jack was a 1949 graduate of Mississippi State University, where he served as President of the Student Body, Treasurer of the Omicron Delta Kappa student activities fraternity, copy editor of the yearbook, and a member of the Blue Key honor society, ROTC, Sigma Chi fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega service society, Colonels Club honorary organization, and Scabbard and Blade honorary military society. He married Dallas Jean Reid of West Point, Mississippi, on December 28, 1949. Childhood friends and high school sweethearts, Jack and Dallas remained married for 51 years until her death in 2000. Jack was recruited to International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) out of Mississippi State, which took them to New Orleans in 1954. After several leadership roles throughout his career, Jack retired from IBM in the early 1970s. He subsequently led the renovation and restoration of many Uptown, Garden District, and Irish Channel properties, particularly between Magazine Street and the Mississippi river. In 1990, Jack and his son John founded Teachers Retirement Services, which later became Capital Investment Management, Inc. in New Orleans, one of the industry’s finest boutique annuity marketing organizations to financial institutions around the country.

Jack was an avid sportsman, with a lifelong love of hunting and his beloved dogs. His annual dove hunting trip to West Point, MS, with his son, grandsons, and great-grandsons was a much-anticipated highlight of the year for all, as were the countless hunting excursions with many friends over the years. Jack was a well-known fixture at Audubon Park, walking his dogs off leash every day – even at 97. In addition, Jack was one of the first participants in the annual Turkey Day race.

An active member of the New Orleans community, Jack was a member of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, the Pickwick Club, several Carnival organizations, and served on the board of several charitable organizations throughout the years. Most importantly, Jack will be remembered as a dear friend of all and a beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who placed family and community above all else. He began many traditions that will continue, including his 47 year tradition of taking all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to Christmas lunch. Jack’s unparalleled wit and humor, endless stories, and warm smile will be remembered alongside the excellence and generosity he inspired in so many.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025, at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church, 1545 State St, New Orleans, LA. Visitation will begin at 11:30 AM with a service to begin at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Audubon Park Conservancy, which funds the upkeep and preservation of Audubon Park, the New Orleans SPCA, or any dog rescue group.