Carl J. Chatelain

Carl was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Sylvia Chatelain; his parents, Rosemary and Wade Chatelain; and his two brothers, Aubrey and Charles Chatelain.

He is survived by his two loving children, Julie Goldstein (Andrew) and Stephen Chatelain (Kate); his five grandchildren, Maxwell Goldstein, Maya Goldstein, Wyatt Chatelain, Willie Chatelain, and Waylon “Boogliboo” Chatelain; and his sister, Linda Gennaro.

Carl was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on October 3, 1932, and was a graduate of L.S.U. (class of 1957), where he earned his Bachelor of Science and C.P.A.

Carl moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1971. In Texas, he began his long career with Whataburger, Inc., where he was the EVP of finance and CFO. He retired in 2005 and consulted well into his 80’s. He served as a lector and usher at St. Pius X Catholic Church (Corpus Christi) for 30 years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus for 55 years and the Alhambra Catholic Organization for 16 years. In 2024, after his wife died, Carl moved to Jacksonville, Florida so he could be closer to his family.

Carl was a family man who was dedicated to his children and grandchildren and prioritized their well-being his entire life. His ultimate joy was spending time with family, and would take his mother on all his family vacations throughout the U.S. In his late 50’s, he began traveling the world with his wife, Sylvia.

Carl was a foodie… he loved everything, especially his son, Stephen’s, cooking. Drinking Community Coffee every morning and having red wine happy hours with Red Diamond Cabernet were a ritual.

He loved watching football and was an avid fan of L.S.U. and the Dallas Cowboys. He was a passionate reader and WWII history buff. He would also read every museum label at every exhibit to Sylvia’s chagrin.

Carl was always helping people, friends, colleagues, and family with financial advice and support through any milestone in their lives. He was always giving and never taking.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 11:00AM. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 9:00AM. The interment will follow the chapel service at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Carl’s memory to: Bright Focus Foundation, www.brightfocus.org, Bright Focus is a leading global non-profit organization that is research developing the prevention and cure for Macular Degeneration; or to Kanines and Kitties, Inc., via PayPal at [email protected]. This is a Corpus Christi animal rescue founded by a very dear friend.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com