Donald Remson

Donald Raymond Remson passed away peacefully on March 13,2024, at the age of 87. Donald was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Marcel and Josephine Frey Remson; and he lived his childhood – up to when he left for college, in the Frey family home (904 Bartholomew St.) in the Bywater area of New Orleans. Don graduated from Jesuit High School, Class of 1954, and he was a player on the 1953 Blue Jay State Champion Football Team. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana State University, A Master’s Degree from University of Texas, and graduated from the Executive Program at Standford University. He was a member of the Theta Kappa Phi Fraternity at LSU. Don devoted his work life to the exploration and drilling of oil and natural gas. He was a pioneer in the field of offshore oil drilling having overseen the design, construction and operations of offshore vessels and rigs, both nationally and internationally. He spent some 40 years in offshore drilling operations, beginning his career working as a roughneck in the Gulf of Mexico while in college, and retiring as Vice President of Operations for Western Oceanic, Inc. With his work, he gave his wife and young children the opportunity to see the world – living in Melbourne, Australia and Singapore and traveling throughout Asia and Europe. Don proudly served in the U.S. Army, completing a 10- year service commitment as a standby reservist with his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1967. Upon retirement, Don did some consulting work as an engineer, but was able to spend more time pursing his hobbies and simply enjoying the outdoors. Always artistic, his many talents included furniture making, drawing, fly-tying and model building, while perhaps his most talented skill was wood carving: Don was an award- winning wood carver, having earned numerous blue ribbons and “Best in the Show” awards in numerous wood carving competitions. His carvings were placed on public display by the Louisiana Secretary of State in an Exhibition at the La. State Archive Building. At the suggesting of his wife-Jean, Don and Jean took up dancing as a means to aid in his recuperation after Don suffered a heart attack at the age of 66. Within a short time, Don and Jean became avid ballroom dancers, and quickly became regulars at the many tea dances and ballroom dances around town. Don’s greatest gift, however, may have been storytelling: his friends and family, especially his grandchildren, will no doubt cherish the memories of his mesmerizing tales, some maybe slightly embellished, but always captivating. Don is survived by the love of his life, Jean Williams Remson: 4 sons – Donald J. Remson (Karen), Michael M. Remson (Stephanie), Christopher G. Remson (Trula), and David C. Remson; a daughter – Lisa Remson Brouillette (Gerald); 2 sisters – Margaret Remson Storey and Sr. Jane Remson O. Carm.; 10 grandchildren; and a growing number of great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his loving parents – Marcel and Josephine Frey Remson, and his older brother-Dr. Marcel J. Remson, DDS. Services will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at St. George Catholic Church, 7808 St. George Drive, Baton Rouge, La. 70809. Visitation with family begins at 9: 30am with a Funeral Mass at 11am. Interment to follow in the REMSON-MOFFETT tomb in the ST. Roch #2 Cemetery, New Orleans. In lieu of flowers or donations made in his name, Don would have definitely preferred if you would take an afternoon and really appreciate and enjoy the outdoors instead.