Earl Joseph Sonnier, M.D.

Earl Joseph Sonnier, M.D., 92, of New Orleans, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2026, at West Jefferson Medical Center, surrounded by his family. He was born on January 16, 1934, in Scott, Louisiana, to Gabrielle Martin Sonnier and George Joseph Sonnier. He graduated valedictorian from Scott High School where he was also an Eagle Scout. He attended Tulane University and Tulane University School of Medicine. While at Tulane he served as president of the freshman class and the Kappa Sigma fraternity. After graduating medical school, he served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force before returning to New Orleans to complete his residency at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital.

He was in private practice in Ophthalmology for more than four decades while also being on staff at West Jefferson Hospital and an Associate Professor at Tulane University School of Medicine.

He married his college sweetheart, Jennifer Eulalie Walter of New Iberia, Louisiana, on August 5, 1956. Together they raised four children. He took sailing lessons with his young family, which sparked a lifelong passion for sailing and sailboat racing. A 55-year member of the Southern Yacht Club, he owned and campaigned numerous racing boats on Lake Pontchartrain and the Gulf Coast. To his lengthy list of victories over the years, he capped his career off with the overall title in the Gulfport-Pensacola Race in 2019 at the age of 84. He also loved vacations in Florida and snow skiing in Colorado with his family.

A devout Catholic, he was a loving and generous husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who took immense joy in spending time with his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his infant son, Earl J. Sonnier Jr., and by his wife of 62 years, Jennifer.

He is survived by his four children: Gerard J. Sonnier (Amy), Suzette Sonnier Killeen (Shawn), Gregory J. Sonnier (Mary), and Scott J. Sonnier; ten grandchildren: Kiel J. Killeen, Jennifer Killeen Medina (Zack), Kohl J. Killeen, Kale J. Killeen, Celeste Sonnier Soltis (Kenneth), Gerard J. Sonnier Jr., Scott J. Sonnier Jr., Alden M. Sonnier, Gabrielle Sonnier Prudhomme (Marsh), and Genevieve M. Sonnier; and six great-grandchildren: Marigold, Steven, and Anthony Prudhomme, Walker and Miller Medina, and Marguerite Soltis.

The family would like to thank all the residents and employees of Lambeth House for their friendship and care, especially his friend and companion Carol Messersmith.

Visitation will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 631 State Street, New Orleans, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday November 11, 2026. Interment will be private. To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com