Joseph Beauregard Olinde Sr.

Joseph Beauregard "JB" Olinde, Sr., 90, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. JB was born in New Roads, Louisiana on December 18,1924 and resided in Baton Rouge for nearly 70 years. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Margery Ogden Johnson Olinde and seven children: Elsie "Pandy" Olinde Bleich and husband Joe, Joseph B. "Beau" Olinde, Jr. and wife Cheryl, Dr. Andrew Olinde and wife Tereasa, Thomas Olinde and wife Cheryl, John Olinde and wife Nancy, Elizabeth Olinde Coleman and husband Robert, Margery "Katie" Olinde Belcher. JB is also survived by 21 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Humphrey Theodore Olinde, Sr. and Elsie Heck Olinde, and brother Humphrey T. Olinde, Jr. Surviving siblings include sisters Patricia Laurent and Elizabeth Wilson and brothers Dr. Henry Olinde, Dr. Alfred Olinde and Christopher Olinde. JB enjoyed a full life. Before he retired, he was president of B. Olinde and Sons Co., Inc., Olinde Hardware & Supply Co., and Brown Brokerage Company. He was a founder and board member of Guaranty Bancshares, New Roads, LA and Baton Rouge Bancshares, Baton Rouge, LA. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of Hancock Bank of Louisiana. He served on General Electric's first National Dealer Council. His company was cited as "Furniture Retailer of the Year" twice. He was president of the Greater Baton Rouge Furniture Dealers Association and a member of Young President's Organization. He was an active member in numerous civic organizations, including President, Baton Rouge Civitan Club, Vice-President, Baton Rouge Junior Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Baton Rouge, and the Louisiana State Bar Association. He was selected into the LSU Foundation, Chancellor's Council - LSU Law School, chaired the Istrouma Area Council Boy Scout Fund Drive and served on the BSA Advisory Board. He was valedictorian of his high school and elected senior class president, and chosen winner of the scholastic medal for his parish and the tri-parish. JB entered LSU in 1941. His studies were interrupted by World War II, but he returned in 1946 to take classes in Business Administration. He graduated LSU Law School in 1949 with LLB (JD). While at LSU, he was in the College of Commerce Honor fraternity, president of ODK leadership fraternity, Moot Court Board, finals in Moot Court competition, Louisiana Law Review, voted outstanding law student of his senior class and president of his law fraternity. JB volunteered for US Army in 1943. After basic training in California, he was selected for Infantry DCS in Ft. Benning, GA. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant and served as Heavy Weapons Infantry Company Commander. He was part of the 2nd Battalion 23rd Infantry Regiment (63rd Infantry Division) that fought bravely on the front lines in Europe in World War II and received the Presidential Unit Citation for Extraordinary Heroism. JB was awarded 2 Bronze Stars with Oak Leaf Clusters, as well as Campaign and Battle ribbons. He served in the four-power occupation of Austria and remained in Army Reserve until the end of the Korean War. JB was inducted into the Ole War Skule Hall of Honor. Above all JB was a faithful and generous man who loved his family and cherished his friends. We will dearly miss his love and guidance. Serving as pallbearers will be his sons and son-in-law. Honorary pallbearers are Hugh O'Connor and Tommy O'Connor. Visitation will be Friday, April 10, 2105, at 1 pm until service at 2:30 pm at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2021 Stuart Ave., Baton Rouge. Burial will follow at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to a charity of your choice.