John LeeRoy Savoy

July 29, 1924-Jun 29, 2010

John LeeRoy Savoy was born on July 29, 1924 in the Marais Bouleur region of Acadia Parish to Gilbert Savoy and Mary Jane (Miller) Savoy. He passed away at 6:58 p.m. on June 29, 2010 surrounded by his loving family at High Hope Care Center.

John attended school for a short time at the Mire School. He worked as a farmer, truck driver and as a bouncer at the China Ball Club and the Tee Maurice Club in Bristol, LA. He married Marie Martha Guidry on January 11, 1943 prior to enlisting in the United State Army Air Corps. During WWII he served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. He was assigned to the 15th Air Force stationed in Mandura, Italy and flew numerous bombing missions as a waist gunner in the B-24 Liberator “Bottoms Up” in the battle of North Africa, Naples, Sicily, Mite, Cassino and Firenze.

John moved to Lake Charles in 1949 with his young family. In the early 50’s, he began working as a switchman for Southern Pacific Railroad and remained with them until his retirement in 1988. He was instrumental in helping to form the United Transportation Union Local 1947; and was very proud to have served as its president for over 25 years.

John’s service to others was in the form of serving up delicious home cooked Cajun meals. He often cooked for hundreds of people. John was “the cook” for the American Legion, the Knights of Columbus. Many Wednesday night suppers for friends, family and community leaders were served in his “Cabane”.

He was an active member of the American Legion Post #1, the 40/8, the Moose Lodge, St. Margaret’s Knights of Columbus, the Cajun French Music Association, and the McNeese Cowboy Club. In the mid to late 1960s, he was very involved with the American Legion baseball program. John was an avid outdoorsman. He loved shrimping, fishing, and duck hunting. His sons and granddaughters will always cherish his support of their careers, activities and interests.

John remained devoted, and was a caretaker to his wife of 67 years, Martha, until his death. Survivors, in addition to his wife, are his sons and daughter-in-laws, Wayne Roy (Eva) Savoy of Lake Charles and Timothy Jude (Annette) Savoy of Moss Bluff; three granddaughters, Tessa Savoy Webster and husband Chris of Pensacola Florida, Kyra Savoy of Lake Charles and Jaala Savoy of Moss Bluff; one great-granddaughter, Sofia Lane Webster of Pensacola; one sister-in-law Geraldine Savoy of Lafayette; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his three younger brothers, Vincent U.L. Savoy, Ferdinand “Bee” Savoy, and Julian Thomas Savoy.

Pallbearers are: Albert Duplantis, Clark Yelverton, Richard LaFleur, Glen Comeaux, James “Buddy” Savoy, Brian Arceneaux. Honorary pallbearers are JL Langley, Rufus “Buster” Nelands, Percy “Pepe” LaPointe.

Funeral services are being handled by Hixson’s Funeral Home. Visitation will be Thursday, July 1, 2010 from 4-9 p.m. at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles with a rosary at 6 p.m. A funeral mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 2, 2010 at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Lake Charles with Reverend William Miller officiating. Interment will be in St. John Berchmans Cemetery in Cankton, LA.

No matter how he was addressed – “Dad”, “Paw”, “LeeRoy”, “Mr. John”, “Peepaw”, or “Uncle LeeRoy” – he always took care of his friends and especially his family.

The family of Mr. Savoy would like to thank the employees of High Hope Care Center and Brighton Bridge Hospice for the love and care that you have given to our dad.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com