John R. Pollard

John Ray Pollard, born July 6, 1938 in Marietta, Prentiss County, Mississippi, was the son of Marcus Browning Pollard and Letha Luvene Carpenter. He was the 11th of 15 children and is survived by his sister, Pam Pollard English of Jumpertown, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents; 13 siblings; son-in-law, Chris Gerlisky; and grandson, James M. "Tiggy" Pollard. John is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rosa; his daughters, Christine (Paul) Schexnayder, Shelley (Norm) Beagley, Janice (Leon) Gerlisky; and his sons, John "Jay" (Erin) Pollard and James "Jim" Pollard. He also leaves behind 17 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Graduating from high school in 1956 he enlisted in the United States Air Force for four years serving in Korea and Oklahoma as a weather observer. 1960 found him in Memphis, Tennessee, looking for work which eventually led to employment with W. R. Grace Chemical. He also found a wife, Rosa Louise Boston, whom he married August 18, 1961 for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. John's career as a chemical operator began in Memphis but in 1967 he moved his wife, three young daughters, and Mr. Whiskers, their big white bunny rabbit to Louisiana to join a new not-yet-up-and running plant, Allied Chemical in Geismar, Louisiana. Due to his natural curiosity and a strong mechanical inclination, he walked the new plant wanting to understand where each pipe started, where it ended and its purpose. That same curiosity served him well throughout his years as a chemical operator and through several changes in plant ownership. He retired in 1997 after 30 years of service at PCS Nitrogen. His two sons were born during those first few years of living in Gonzales, Louisiana; both claiming to be proud Cajuns by birth. John enjoyed the outdoors. He fished and his children were often by his side. He served, for many years as a Boy Scout Master, hoping to instill in his scouts the same love of camping that he cherished. Every summer he brought his family on long vacations, traveling together across the United States. Serving and helping others brought great joy to John. While in Korea he volunteered at the local orphanages. He continued finding ways to serve others. After he retired, he and Rosa were called to serve a mission for their Church to St. Petersburg, Russia as CES... Church Education Coordinators. John had been baptized in 1960 as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and had looked forward to the time when they could serve a mission together. They served a second mission as Housing Coordinators for the Baton Rouge Louisiana Mission. In between the two missions, they served in the Temple Presidency and for a short time John served as the President of the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Temple. He continued to work in the temple that he loved until dementia and a stroke sent him to the house with Rosa. The following few years settled quietly into long walks in Walmart jointly pushing the shopping buggy and lunches at Country Kitchen. On June 27, 2025 John was called back home following a brief illness. We will miss his ready smile, those deep dimples, and his beautiful, white hair. (IYKYK). Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation which will be held at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Highway in Gonzales on Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM with services beginning at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow at Serenity Oaks Memorial Park 15304 LA-73 in Prairieville. Following the interment a luncheon will be served at Ourso's. Please come to eat, mix, and mingle. John would LOVE that. Pallbearers: Aaron Schexnayder, Noah Schexnayder, Tyler Heath, Jonathon Gerlisky, Glenn Beckworth and Gavin Cook. Honorary Pallbearers: Calin Pollard, Tyler Beagley, Edwardo Battaglia, Chris Olsen, Richard Haley, Earl Perilloux, Deric Masten, Dedrick Lewis.