It is with heavy hearts to announce the passing of Lee Joseph Iguess, a lifelong resident of Welsh, who was called to his heavenly home on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at the age of 96. Lee was born on March 24, 1926 to Oscar and Marie Laura Doucet Iguess in Jennings, LA.
Lee was a World War II Vet having served his country in the United States Army as a rifleman; he received a Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, 2-European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medals, WWII Victory Medal and the Marksman Badge. Lee was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, the American Legion Post 0283 and the VFW Post 283.
After returning from the service, Lee went to work for American Rice Growers, before going to work for Evangeline Refinery where he worked for 20 plus years until it shut down. After leaving there, he went to work for Conoco until his retirement. Once he retired, he went to work for the Welsh Police Department as Animal Control Officer until he was 85 years old. This job was probably his most loved because he was able to visit with nearly everyone in town, something he loved doing.
In his younger years until the age of 52, he enjoyed playing softball where he was known to throw a mean pitch. A loving father and grandfather, he was no ordinary man. He was our family link. Lee adored spending time with his family and always looked forward to the next family gathering. He was the most patient and kind soul you’ll ever meet and the very best friend you could ever find. He could put a smile on every face no matter if they were having a bad day or not. He always had good stories to tell but he was also a good listener too. He never met a stranger. A few seconds with Lee and he would know their whole family tree and life story and would often gift them with a nickname which he was famously known for doing to pretty much everyone he met. He was slow to anger, secretly tender hearted and a genuinely good guy. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body. Lee was loved by everyone at the nursing home and they treated each other as family and often fussed about who was his favorite. Lee will be forever missed. Lee also loved dancing, playing bingo, spending time outdoors hunting, shrimping and fishing. When he was not working, you could often find him with his brother and a fishing pole in his hand.
Those left to cherish Lee’s wonderful memories are his children, Jeffrey “Red” Iguess and his wife Kathy, Wendell “T-Wen” Iguess and his wife Janet, Mona Iguess Arceneaux and her husband Karl, Warren “Rooster” Iguess and his fiancé Joni, Tracy Iguess and Steven “Coon” Iguess and his wife Kelly; 15 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson, and 17 step grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is reunited in heaven with his parents; his sister, Dorothy Iguess Broussard; two brothers, Lloyd and Wilfred Iguess; and one grandson, Beckham Palombo
The family requests that a time of visitation and remembrance be observed on Monday, June 27, 2022 from 5pm until 9pm with a rosary being prayed at 6:30pm at J. E. Hixon & Sons Funeral Home in Welsh. Visitation will resume at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 from 8am until time of dismissal at 9am. A mass of Christian burial will be held for Lee on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 9:30 am at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Welsh with the Reverend Father Alan Trouille officiating. Following the services, Lee will be laid to rest at Oaklawn Cemetery also in Welsh.
Those honored to be pallbearers will be Jeffrey Iguess, Warren Iguess, Steven Iguess, Karl Arceneaux, Stuart Trahan and Dylan Iguess. Honorary pallbearers will be Carlos Iguess, Gary Iguess, Randy Theriot, Jonathon Iguess, Jeremey Iguess and Noel Arceneaux.
The family would like to express their gratitude to the entire staff and the VA Nursing Home in Jennings but an extra special thanks to Unit 1 and his other special friends there (you know who you are) and to LAMM Hospice for the love, special care and friendship provided to Lee during his stay there.
