Carlyle Luke LeBas

Carlyle, also known by his middle name of Luke in the US Air Force and in Texas, was born April 28, 1932, in Ville Platte, Louisiana, the third child of eight. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, during which time he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Carlyle was a lifeguard and saved three other boys from drowning using his Scouting lifeguard badge skills. He was quarterback at Sacred Heart Catholic School when the team twice won the state championship. He graduated from LSU Baton Rouge in Chemistry with BS and MS degrees. He also graduated from the LSU ROTC program as a 2LT in the US Air Force. Carlyle was married for 63 years to his lifelong love, Wylla. They married while Carlyle was on active duty with the US Air Force. Carlyle was on active service in Germany and was later promoted to 1LT, then to the rank of Captain in the Air Force Reserves. He was a “communications officer” and said of his service in Germany: “We were on the border of the East Germans and Russians across a barbed wire fence.” He was always very proud of his service to this country. Carlyle was devoted to his wife, children, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was active as a Eucharistic minister and a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church. Carlyle was employed by Texaco Chemical Company in Austin, Texas for 34 years as a Research Chemist, specializing in nuclear magnetic spectroscopy (now called MRI when used for health care), among many other projects. Carlyle was named by the Capital Area Tennis Association as the 2013 senior male player of the year and was a ranked tennis player for many years in Texas, many of them in the top 1, 2, or 3 position. He was a superb strategist in both singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, and played tournaments and league tennis for years, often with some of his children participating as doubles partners. In addition, he was a skilled card player who could keep a “poker face”, enjoying bridge, Bouree, and poker.

Carlyle will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, his Louisiana family, and friends.

Carlyle is survived by his children; David and Beth LeBas, Beth and Marshall White, James and Susan LeBas, Marie LeBas and Bob Schwartz, Yvonne and Alan Kinnibrugh, 12 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, brothers; Bernard LeBas, Peter LeBas, sister: Adelaide Dupre, and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces and cousins. In addition to his parents Carlyle, is predeceased by his spouse; Wylla S. LeBas, brothers; Frankie LeBas, Cecil LeBas, sisters; Andree LeBas and Jacqueline LeBas.

A visitation and Rosary will be at Cook Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78752, on Sunday, September 8, 2024, from 6PM to 8PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, September 9, 2024 at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78757 at 11AM followed by his committal at 1PM at the Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Dr., Austin, TX 78731.

In Lieu of Flowers: Please send donations to St. Louis King of France Church, 7601 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78757 or Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 708 Main St., Ville Platte, LA 70586 or a charity of your choice.