Judge John P. Navarre

Judge John P. Navarre

June 11, 1928 - July 6, 2016

John Pershing Navarre was born June 11, 1928 to Mayo Navarre and Nola Arceneaux in Duson, LA and was called to his heavenly home on Wednesday evening, July 6, 2016, at the age of 88. He grew up in Welsh, LA, on the family farm north of town and graduated from Welsh High School. He went on to get his B.A. from Louisiana College. In 1949, he married Jean Ann Mounce and after graduation from LSU School of Law, they moved to Lake Charles. Several years later they moved to Oakdale where they made their home together for over 30 years, building John's career and raising their 2 children, Debbie and John "Kim".

In 1991, he married Patricia Johnson and gained step daughter Misty and later a step granddaughter Paige.

John was dearly loved by family, friends and the community. He loved politics, loved to travel, was an avid reader, loved crawfish and crawfish boils, loved to dance, loved to barbecue and entertain, loved a good glass of white wine and he LOVED LSU Football. He was a season ticket holder until he moved to Texas and he collected LSU memorabilia and decorated his many offices with his collections.

John's Professional, Civic and Business Affiliations included: Board Member - Allen Parish Tourist Commission; American, Louisiana State and Allen Parish Bar Associations; Louisiana City Judges Association, Past President; Southwest Law Enforcement Commission, Board of Directors / Allen Action Agency, Inc., Board of Directors; Oakdale Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors and Past President; Oakdale Housing Authority, Board of Directors; Oakdale Industrial Development Association, Secretary-Treasurer; Oakdale Junior Chamber of Commerce, Past President; Oakdale Lions Club, Past President; Oakdale Moose Lodge, Past Governor.

His Career included: John Navarre Attorney at law; 33rd District Court Judge (1990 - 1994); City Attorney - Kinder (1968 - 1977); Attorney, Navarre & Fuselier (1968 - 1972); Judge -City Court of Oakdale (1967 - 1990); City Attorney - Elizabeth (1967 - 1990); Attorney - Navarre & Ryder (1954 - 1960); 1st Assistant District Attorney - 33rd District Court (1954-1960),Pvt. 1/c. Louisiana National Guard 1949 - 1951; Civic Service Award 2002; Navarre and Abrusley Law Firm 1996 - 2005 and Oakdale City Council 2006 - 2009.

John was a member of the First Baptist Church of Oakdale until his permanent move to Texas. He wore many hats and earned many titles in his lifetime and went by many names including: Dad, Son, Husband, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, Nephew, friend, and The Judge, but the title he loved the most was Dede. He loved and adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved Sunday Family Dinners with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was one in a million!

John is survived by his two children, his daughter, Debbie Navarre Breard and her husband Ernest of Monroe, LA and his Son, John Pershing Navarre II and his wife Vicki of Trophy Club, TX.; step-daughter, Misty Tingle of Pineville; eight grandchildren, Jason Ewing and his wife Lyndsey, Justin Ewing, Sarah Katherine Ewing, all from Monroe, LA., Scott Navarre of Dallas, TX, Christopher Navarre and his wife Alicia of Lantana, TX, Jeffrey Navarre and his wife Jessica of Dallas, TX, step granddaughter, Paige Tichy Bordelon and her husband Luc of Pineville; seven great grandchildren, Baylee Ewing, John Stewart Ewing, Madison Ewing, Jaxen Ewing, Alexandria Navarre, Gabrielle Navarre and Jon David Bordelon; nephews, Myron Navarre and his wife Cheryl of Welsh, LA, Joe Navarre and his wife Christine of Port Allen, LA; nieces, Michele Louviere and her Husband Jeff of Greenwell Springs, LA, Jacquetta Navarre of Welsh, LA; cousins, Delores Benoit of Lafayette, Gerry Navarre and his wife Kathy of Lake Charles and Ted Navarre and wife, Collette, of Welsh. Numerous other cousins and countless friends.

John was a kind and loving person who never missed an opportunity to make you smile. He approached life with tenacity and great humor, compassion and stern resolve. He showed strength and courage in his daily battle with Alzheimers. Life will never be the same without him but it has been immeasurably better because of him. He was preceded in death by his wives, Jean Navarre and Patricia Navarre; his parents Nola and Mayo Navarre and his brother Swinford Navarre.

The family will be receiving family and friends, Wednesday, July 13, 2016 at Rush Funeral Home, 115 South 11th Street, Oakdale, from 5:30 to 8:30 P.M. and Thursday, July 14, 2016 from 9:00 A.M. until time of departure for the church. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, July 14, 2016 at 11:30 A.M. at First Baptist Church, 117 S 12th Street, Oakdale, with the Reverend Steve Ferguson of Tomball, TX officiating. Graveside services will resume at 3:00 P.M. in Oaklawn Cemetery, Welsh, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home of Oakdale.

Pall Bearers will be John's grandsons, Jason Ewing, Justin Ewing, Scott Navarre, Christopher Navarre, Jeffrey Navarre and Gerry Navarre. Honorary Pall Bearers, Ernest Breard, John Stewart Ewing, Myron Navarre, Joe Navarre, Jeff Louviere, Luc Bordelon, Earl Soileau, Bobby Abrusley, Greg Pritchard and Craig Jones.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in John's name to the North Central Texas Alzheimer's Association, 2630 West Freeway, Suite 100, Fort Worth, TX 76102. 817-336-4949.

Friends may post online messages of condolence for the Navarre family by visiting www.rushfh.com