John A. "Jay" Batt Jr.

John August Batt, Jr., principal and director of Biltmore Property Group, husband of 30 years to Andrée, father, beloved friend to many, and native New Orleanian, died Monday, May 19, 2024, at age 64. “Jay,” as he was known to all whom he encountered, had numerous passions: his family, his friends, his work, and bettering the lives of others. Jay will be remembered and cherished as someone who greeted strangers and friends alike with a warm smile and affectionate embrace. A true gentleman of impeccable sartorial style, Jay, along with his business partners, developed numerous franchises that spanned throughout the Southeast, including Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Lilly Pulitzer, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and J.W. Bell. He attended Sewanee: The University of the South, and in 1983, he graduated from Tulane University where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) social fraternity. One of two sons, Jay was an “all girls” dad. His pride and joy were his three girls, Andrée and their daughters, Bailey and Kelly. All attended Sacred Heart, with Bailey attending the University of Alabama, and Kelly the University of South Carolina. Jay started his professional career as a banker at First National Bank of Commerce until he embarked upon a successful real estate development career. He launched his debut into retail with Jos. A. Bank Clothiers on Carondelet Street, where Jay was ever-present and greeted his customers with both a jovial smile and a good joke (albeit some a bit off-color). Most recently a real estate consultant with McEnery Residential, Jay was perfectly positioned for this role, being the people-person he was. His passion to help create a better New Orleans motivated him to run for the City Council where he tirelessly served the residents of District A. When Hurricane Katrina struck, Jay was unyielding in his efforts to bring his neighbors and constituents home to New Orleans to see their flooded homes, including his own. An avid sports fan, Jay was a member of the Allstate Sugar Bowl Committee, where he served as President and as a member of its Executive Committee. He led with great pride the annual Sugar Bowl parade for many years. Jay also presided over the New Orleans City Park Commission, as its President, and was Chairman of the Board of Crimestoppers, Chairman of the Louisiana Republican State Central Committee and the Orleans Parish Republican Executive Committee. Jay excelled in connecting people to facilitate conversations across the aisle for the better good. Jay was a member of several social and Carnival organizations. He joyfully and enthusiastically supported the acting career of his talented brother, Bryan, and greatly valued time with his family in his second home in Asheville, North Carolina. Jay was truly gifted in making people feel welcomed, cherished and loved. Jay is predeceased by his mother, Gayle Mackenroth Batt, and his father, John August Batt. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Andrée Wood Batt, daughters, Bailey Batt Kelleher (Kell) and Kelly Manning Batt, his brother, Bryan Mackenroth Batt (Tom), and father-in-law, Harry Eldon Wood (Gayle). Visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, Saturday, May 24, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 1:00 p.m., for all who wish to celebrate his life. Private interment will be held for the family in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to City Park Conservancy or Crimestoppers. To view and sign the online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.