James Lee Babin

James Lee Babin, a retired associate professor of English at LSU and resident of Baton Rouge, died Saturday evening, July 31, 2010, of complications related to kidney cancer. James was born on Oct. 23, 1939, to Mr. and Mrs. Fermin Babin, of Baton Rouge. He attended St. Benedict Seminary and Catholic High before receiving his undergraduate degree in English from LSU, where he met, and later married, Edith Hammatt. He received his Ph.D. in American literature from Duke University, which he attended on a Woodrow Wilson Scholarship, before returning to a position on the English faculty at LSU. Over nearly 40 years at the university, James taught American literature and literature and religion among many other courses, and twice served as president of the Faculty Senate. He was an editor of the Henry James Review, served as director of undergraduate studies for the English Department, and was the first academic director of the Residential College Program. He was a longtime member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church. James saw teaching as a vocation and was devoted to his students and to the life of the mind. His passion for literature, philosophy, and all types of learning was contagious, and he never tired of wrestling with the mystery of what it means to be human. He loved his family, which eventually came to include not only his blood relations, but also a large group of friends and colleagues, and he gave to all of them the rare gifts of patient listening and genuine empathy. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Edith Hammatt Babin; daughter and son-in-law, Jackie Babin Arevalo and Ray Arevalo; son, Michael Babin; five grandchildren, Morgan and Alex Arevalo, and Hammatt, Harris and Tucker Babin; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon Babin Oncale and Terry Oncale; sister, Gayle Babin Cowart; brother and sister-in-law, Ron Babin and Karen Babin; and many other devoted family and friends. Preceded in death by his parents, Fermin Babin and Frances Babin. Relatives and family and friends are invited to attend visitation at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Ave., Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. until funeral service at 11 a.m. Graveside service at St. Joseph Abbey, St. Benedict, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4. Pallbearers will be Ron Babin, John Hammatt, Brad LeRay, Bob Benedict, Ray Arevalo and Don Schneider.