Leo Lieux Brassett Sr.

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Leo Lieux Brassett, Sr. succumbed to pancreatic cancer at 12:15 p.m. on March 31, 2015, surrounded by his loved ones. Leo Brassett was born on July 13, 1923, in New Roads, Louisiana. He always said he was born lucky because it was Friday the 13th. His parents were Philomena Lieux Brassett and Leo Gracien Brassett. One of his greatest prides was that he was of French heritage, and he did extensive genealogical research on his family through Pierre St. Denis De La Ronde. He graduated Catholic High School in Baton Rouge in 1940 as the class Valedictorian. He went on to LSU and graduated from the College of Commerce with a B.S. in Business Administration in 1948. In 1949 he graduated from Louisiana State University Law School with an L.L.B, later changed to Juris Doctorate. His interests in school included: O.D.K. Leadership Fraternity, Phi Eta Sigma Honorary Scholastic, Phi Gamma Mu, also Honorary Scholastic, Gamma Eta Gamma – Legal Fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, Commerce Fraternity, and ATO Social Fraternity. Leo volunteered in 1943 to serve in the United States Army during World War 2. While in the Army, he was in the O.C.S. (Ordinance Department, 1944). He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1944 and assigned to Staff and Faculty, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, where he served for two years at Aberdeen as Platoon Leader, Company Commander, and Adjutant/Training Supervisor for a Battalion. The largest part of his service was as a Training Officer in the, "Leadership Training Co.", a company which trained pre-O.C.S. and non-commissioned officers. He left the service in 1946 as a 1st Lieutenant. On July 3, 1946, he married Ruth Simmons of Waldorf, Maryland. From 1949 to 1950 he was an employee of Maryland Casualty Company. In 1950 Leo became General Counsel for Louisiana Companies (35 years). In this position he was Vice-President of Louisiana Insurance Agency, Inc. and Louisiana Companies, Inc. and staff attorney for the Louisiana Fire Insurance Company. He also did law work and notary work, as needed, for the three corporations of Louisiana Companies. He belonged to Rotary Club, St. Aloysius Church, Chamber of Commerce, Louisiana Land Title Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association and American Bar Association. He was on the Greater Baton Rouge Safety Council, Louisiana Land Title Rating Bureau, and the American Legion. He was a well-liked and well-respected gentleman who enjoyed recounting his personal stories about his family and Army experiences. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He leaves behind Ruth, his beloved wife of 68 years, sons, Leo Lieux Brassett, Jr. and wife Milam, Michael Brassett, David Brassett and wife Anne, and daughters, Janine DeMars and Renee' Dunbar Stelly and husband Kenneth. Grandchildren Michael Brassett, Jr. and wife Lindsay, Danielle and husband Jeremy, Samantha DeMars, Kristen Brassett, Noel Brassett, David Brassett and wife Kayla, and Amanda Camel and husband Nick and Shawn Dunbar. Great-grandchildren: Hudson Camel and Atticus Hebert and numerous nieces and nephews. Leo is predeceased by his son, Donald Brassett, twin of David; brother, Dr. Lynwood James Brassett, and sister, Carolyn Brassett Walker and husband Bob. Visitation is to be from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2015, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church with service to follow. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers are Michael Brassett Jr., David Brassett Jr., Steven Brassett, Mark Brassett, Paul Sevin and Nick Camel. Honorary Pallbearers are J.B. Olinde and Richard Simmons. Donations may be made to Baton Rouge Eye Bank, Animal Alliance, ALS Association, or charity of your choice.