Joseph Chargois

Joseph Castille Chargois, Jr.

LAFAYETTE - Funeral Services will be held at a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, September 29, 2012 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Joseph Castille Chargois, Jr. who passed away Monday, September 24, 2012 at Lafayette General Hospital.

Very Rev. Msgr. Richard Greene, VE, Pastor, Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in New Iberia, will be the celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the services. Lectors will be Claire Ripley Gentry and Richard Kennedy, III. Gift bearers will be Lindsey and Laura Chargois. Eulogist will be Elizabeth Ripley Yingling and Judy R. Kennedy.

Private graveside services will take place in the Lafayette Masonic Cemetery in the family plot.

J. C. Chargois, Jr. was born on June 3, 1924 at 309 Polk Street to Joseph Cas Chargois, Sr., and Louise Judice Chargois, both prominent in Lafayette's development and politics. He attended SLI Training School located at the corner of Main and Jefferson for his elementary schooling, graduated from Lafayette High School and attended SLI, now UL. Known throughout south Louisiana for his gracious personality, generosity, lifelong love of Lafayette, and its people, he always supported his friends and family with a caring heart.

He developed an enviable work ethic at any early age. His first job, at the age of 13, was as an usher and popcorn seller at the Jefferson Theater. He worked from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for $1 a day. He thought that was a lot of money and he was able to add to his antique collecting that he began at the age of 9.

In 1942, at 19, he began his career with South Pacific Railroad as a crew-call boy. He rode his bicycle to wake up the Conductors, Brakemen and Firemen. He was soon promoted to the Timekeeping Dept. as an Insurance Clerk and remained with Southern Pacific until 1963 when the Co. moved to Houston, Texas.

This prompted his 3rd career as an Interior Designer for Dauterive's Furniture Store where he remained until 1963 when he opened his own decorating/design studio, Shagwood Galleries. In 2008 after 45 years an Interior Designer, he decided to begin a new phase of his life. He considered retirement, but for someone who never stopped, this was not an option. Countless homes and businesses throughout south LA are testament to his talent.

Thus, began his 4th career as an appraiser of antiques, and conducting estate sales, which was his current endeavor. He "worked" for 75 years, and at 88 years of age, didn't intend to stop until "the Good Lord calls". Until the time of his death, J.C. worked closely with families in easing for them the process of the sale of cherished objects.

Although he has had a busy, and varied career, this did not stop him from contributing to his community. He helped hundreds of people in his lifetime by doing charitable deeds such as: assisting in finding places to live; supervising moving them; handling their finances; helping to find the correct agency for assistance; cooking and baking food to help feed a family, and many other deeds. This was all done by him, and not through an organization. With a multitude of friends, J. C. always had time to check on his friends with a call or visit. Sharing his time with others with just the right words, was his hallmark.

He tirelessly gave of his time to many organizations, and was generous in offering his lovely home for fundraisers for organizations. His affiliations with the different groups included: Lafayette Public Library Foundation (charter member) for 12 years. He was recently awarded the Foundation Award. The Lafayette Preservation Commission was an especial love of his. For countless years including 1989 when he became President of the Preservation Alliance of Lafayette, he actively supported and participated in all of its activities. His legacy is the preservation of some of the area's most significant structures saved for posterity. He served on the LA Trust for Historical Preservation for over 6 years, and for 13 years served on the Board that oversees the maintenance of the Lafayette Protestant Cemetery. The list is too long to name all the organizations to which he belonged.

Fondly sought after as an historian, J. C. enjoyed a remarkable and accurate memory. His recollections and vivid descriptions of this area and its remarkable families are priceless. Throughout his long and delightful life, he recounted and humanized events that made this area famous. He gave a human face to the past, and with his gift for expounding, brought back significant historical events that would have otherwise been lost. J. C. was a true preservationist, as well as an historian, of Lafayette history, and his own home and estate stand as a testament of his respect for the past.

He is survived by one niece, Altha Lee Kennedy Ripley (Bill), and four nephews, Richard R. Kennedy (Judy), Edward Chargois (Celeste), Paul Chargois, and Charles Chargois, (Valinda); and 4 great-nieces: Elizabeth R. Yingling (Brian), Claire R. Gentry (Spencer), Lindsey, Laura, Mallorie and Kaleigh Chargois and 2 great-nephews: Richard Kennedy III (Stacy), Cas Chargois and 6 great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, pioneer residents of Lafayette, J. Cas Chargois, Sr. and Marie Louise Judice Chargois; one sister, Altha Lee Chargois Kennedy, and one brother, Paul W. Chargois, Sr.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, Edward Chargois, Paul Chargois, Jr., Charles Chargois, great-nephew, Richard Kennedy III, Brian Yingling and Dr. Keith Colomb. Honorary Pallbearers will be George Berry and Spencer Gentry.

Musical selections will include Amazing Grace, Battle Hymn of the Republic, The Lord's Prayer, Be Not Afraid and Pie Jesu. Soloist will be Greg Martinez and Musician will be Karen Broussard.

The family wishes to acknowledge their gratitude to Drs. Keith Colomb, Gene Brierre and Bradley Chastant, Jr. for the loving care and attention given to Mr. Chargois during his short illness. They would also like to acknowledge the wonderful care and devotion given to him by his caregivers, Gussie Jacquet, Trinity and Mark Red.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that charitable contributions be made in Mr. Chargois' memory to the National Shrine of Blessed Father Francis Xavier Seelos, 2030 Constance St., New Orleans, LA 70130; The Preservation Alliance of Lafayette, 220 W. Willow St., Bldg. B, Lafayette, LA 70501; Lafayette Public Library Foundation, P. O. Box 3427, Lafayette, LA 70502, or the charity of your choice.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 28, 2012 at Delhomme Funeral Home, and from 8:00 a.m. until time of services on Saturday, September 29, 2012.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Chargois family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.

Delhomme Funeral Home ,1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.