Photo courtesy of Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel
Bluffton, South Carolina
Aug 27, 1941 – Nov 4, 2022
John Leslie "Knuck" LeBlanc, 81, of Bluffton, SC, passed away suddenly on Friday, November 4, 2022, in Gulf Breeze, Florida, surrounded by his dearest friends.
Born in Houma, John made his worldly debut on August 27, 1941, in the middle of hurricane season. He grew up to be the valedictorian and a three-sport letterman at St. Francis de Sales, but - ever obstinate - informed his father that he had no intention of going to college. However, after one memorable summer spent tarring roofs in the Louisiana sun, John was off to the big city of New Orleans to enroll at Loyola University (Class of '63). While there, he joined the Men of Beggars and formed the very friendships that would carry him through his final hours.
A Coast Guard Reservist, John had a vibrant career in marketing that took him from New York to Los Angeles before he met his future wife Cameron while vacationing in Jamaica. The pair later married, then raised two daughters, first in Spartanburg, SC, then Lilburn, GA, before retiring to Bluffton in 2017. An avid traveler, John enjoyed the trip of a lifetime, walking both the Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena with his best friend Patrick and crossed over a dozen new countries off his bucket list while traveling with Cameron.
John was known for his razor-sharp wit, his ready laugh, his generosity of spirit, and his Cajun cooking. He delighted in being both Dad and Papa and took pride in every accomplishment, no matter how small. From Jordan's first home run to Claudette's first starring role, John was a constant presence in his girls' lives, and he delighted in cheering just as loudly for his grandkids' big events.
John is survived by his wife, Cameron; his daughters Claudette LeBlanc and Jordan (Michael) Deffenbaugh; and his grandchildren Bennett Gagnon and Landon, Kenzie, and Hailey Deffenbaugh.
A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, November 11, at 10:30 am at St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Villa La Paz Foundation.
My condolences, Cameron, from an old friend, David Maida. (Bull & Associates)
David Maida
April 16, 2023 | Friend
Group of 10 Trees
Bill Andersen
December 09, 2022 | Bluffton, SC
Kathleen and I are deeply saddened by Knuck´s death, and our hearts go out to Sparkle and to the entire family. It´s clear from these messages that Knuck has been an ongoing presence in many of our lives for a long time. I also knew Knuck as a Beggar at Loyola. The great memories revealed in Dave´s photos reflect how much he contributed to the good times we all enjoyed. It didn´t end with Loyola. When Kathleen and I first lived in New York City during the early `70s, Knuck had moved...
John Newcomb
November 19, 2022
Prayers and blessings to Sparkle, and the girls! So terribly sad!
Linda Dennis
November 16, 2022 | Mt Pleasant, SC | Friend
I am devastated by John’s sudden death, and cannot fathom the depths of grief suffered by Sparkle, Claudette,
and Jordan. Having met in 1961 at Loyola in New Orleans, our friendship stayed intact over all these 60+ years and I was fortunate that we saw a good deal of each other and spent many good times together. John’s incredibly sharp wit, and amazing repertoire (he knew more lyrics to the oldies-but-goodies than anybody), and ability to adapt his guitar-playing to pretty much any...
Keegan (Bob) Federal
November 14, 2022 | St. Mary´s, GA | Friend
Dear Cameron, Claudette and Jordan, We´re so sorry to hear of John´s passing. We remember him As a kind, sweet man who Always had a smile on his face. Thinking and praying for all Of you. Love, The Kulavic Family
Nancy and John Kulavic
November 14, 2022 | Friend
Please know that I continue keeping Cameron, Claudette, Jordan & John's family in my thoughts. The suddenness of John's death is tragic and heartbreaking for all who had the opportunity to know him. My interaction with John was brief, but I remember his keen wit and ability to make all feel welcome in his home. May God's Spirit provide a sense of peace and healing to your family.
Janet McDonald
November 11, 2022 | MARIETTA, GA | Friend
Dave Siegwald
November 10, 2022 | Friend
Dave Siegwald
November 10, 2022 | Friend