John Lionel Soileau Sr.

1936 - 2017

John Lionel Soileau, Sr

GRAND PRAIRIE - A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated for John Lionel Soileau, Sr at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 in the St. Peter's Catholic Church in Grand Prairie, LA. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The Reverend Blaine Clement will celebrate the Mass. Mr. Soileau, age 81, was a native of Grand Prairie, long time resident of Grand Isle, LA and current resident of Opelousas, LA, died at home on Saturday, December 9, 2017. Lionel embodied the entrepreneurial spirit as he was the owner of JLS Speed Horse Ranch, Inc., the owner of John L. Soileau, Inc. catering company and the owner of Soileau's IGA. He also served his country proudly in the United States Navy. Lionel was a Lifetime member of both the American Quarter Horse Association and the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association. His passion for Quarter Horses earned him the following awards: 1990 Ruidoso Downs All American Futurity First Consolation (Royal Bushwhacker), 1993 Speed Horse Broodmare Award (Royalty Comes Easy), 2003 Lone Star Park Champion 2 year old female (JLS Streak Of Snow), 2005 Speed Horse Stakes Producers Broodmare Award (Dancing Tonight and Do It To It Reb), 2006 AQHA Superior Racehorse (Get It Reb), 2009 LQHBA Lifetime Achievement Award, 2010 AQHA Racing Champion 2 year old gelding (JLS Mr Bigtime), 2010 LQHBA Winning Breeder of the year, 2011 AQHA Superior Race Horse (JLS Mr Bigtime), 2011 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity Winner (JLS Party Wagon), 2014 LQHBA Winning Breeder of the year, and the 2016 LQHBA hall of fame owner of Royal Bushwhacker. Survivors include his wife Bernadine Dupre Soileau; sons, Darrel Soileau and wife Connie, Glen Soileau, and Johnny Soileau; daughter, Stephanie Soileau; sister, Iris Guilbeau; 10 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, 2 step grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Golbert and Celestine Soileau; brother, Ray Soileau; son, Joey Soileau; grandson, Chasse Guillory and granddaughter, Alyssa Guillory. Visiting will be held in the LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, beginning Tuesday, December 12, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will reopen on Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. until service time. A Rosary by Deacon Dwayne Joubert will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. LaFond-Ardoin Funeral Home, 2845 S. Union St, Opelousas, LA, 70570 (337-942-2638)