Eugene Paul Gauthreaux Jr.

Eugene Paul Gauthreaux, Jr, (Gene to his friends and family) and lover of things that fly high and all things mechanical, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 16th, 2015 at the Southeast War Veterans Home in Reserve, La. He was 73 years old. There are no words to express the sorrow of those who knew and loved him. Born in New Orleans to Leora and Eugene P. Gauthreaux, Sr. on February 25, 1942, he was a New Orleans boy through and through. He loved cooking gumbo, red beans and rice and eating crawfish, shrimp and oysters. He attended East Jefferson High School and then on to Louisiana State University and the purple, green and gold. He loved the Tigers, but, later, also learned to love the Trojans of the University of Southern California while attending there, going for his Masters. He went on to become a Captain in the U.S. Air Force serving in Viet Nam. He later returned to New Orleans working for C. V. Harold Rubber Company but soon returned to his first love, flying, first with Royal Airlines and then with Continental Airlines. He leaves behind the love of his life, Malinda Jordan Gauthreaux, his four children, Eugene (Trey) Paul Gauthreaux, III (Ellen), Susan Renee Elsensohn (Heath), Michael Brian Black (Pam), Craig Scott Black (Stacy) and seven grandchildren, Emily Gauthreaux, Nathan Gauthreaux, Nathan and Jack Elsensohn, Barri Altschul, Alec Altschul, and Ryan Black. He also leaves behind four siblings, Phyllis Beam (Aaron), Albert Gauthreaux (Linda), Robert Gauthreaux (Brenda) and Marie Guillot (Keith). We wish to recognize the loving care of the staff with Hospice Associates and the staff at the SE Louisiana War Veterans Home. The funeral service and celebration of life will be at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Blvd, Metairie, LA on Friday, May 22nd, 2015 at 9:00 am for family, 10:00 am for friends and family with the service following at 11:00 am. A gathering of friends and family will be held later that evening from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the home of Malinda Gauthreaux. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Algiers, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to the SE Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve, LA.