James Pitman Hesterly Jr.

James Pitman Hesterly, Jr., son of Mary Moselle Alexander Hesterly and James Pitman Hesterly, Sr., was born in Alexandria, LA, on August 31, 1950. He died at home on Easter morning, April 17, 2022. His parents nicknamed him "Pit" as a baby and it remained his moniker for life. His family moved to Lafayette in 1962. From that time, beginning in the 6th grade, Pit left a legacy as a trustworthy and honorable man, one who embraced life's gifts. Pit, the most elegant man his family has ever known, taught his sons many lessons, including the fact that a navy blue blazer, a black belt, and black shoes should be staples in every gentleman's wardrobe. He wore his clothes with sartorial splendor, complementing his charming speech and magnetic personality. Known for his exquisite taste in Italian fabrics, Pit appreciated fine leather, sterling belt buckles, and hand-fashioned hats. He loved alligator shoes and a nice pair of sunglasses which he occasionally wore indoors. A patron of the arts and a true Renaissance Man, Pit loved all things beautiful. He supported local artists and considered himself a modest collector. He fostered the love of music in his wife and children, showing them the joy of listening to Pavarotti, Motown, Broadway musicals, and Irish folk songs. He loved visiting museums and galleries, exposing his family to cultural enrichment. Pit enjoyed reading and writing poetry. Consider yourself blessed if you ever received a poem written by the one and only "Shakespeare Thibodeaux" – a favorite pseudonym. Pit established J. P. Hesterly, Jr. & Associates in 1980 as a brokerage house offering independent petroleum land services for clients in Louisiana and Texas. He employed countless men and women, giving a number of landmen their first job in the business. His ease of manner and kindness to each employee made him a most endearing boss. His high ethical standards combined with his desire to produce superior results earned him respect from his clients. Pit's business associates became his close friends as he forged lifelong relationships with the finest professionals in the land business. Among his cherished friends stands Bill Dukes who shepherded our family through deep darkness with leadership and light. His gifts of stewardship, blessings that Pit recognized every single day, cannot be overstated. Pit became a runner in 1981 after drafting his dear friend Tom Hopkins to be his roommate and coach. They formed "Hopkins Harriers," training with a faithful group of athletes for many years. He successfully competed in numerous road races, marathons, biathlons, and triathlons across the South. He took great pleasure in authoring a column in the Red's newsletter entitled "Feets of Endurance." When Pit was forced to quit running due to health issues, he began swimming at Red's where he enjoyed a new camaraderie. His athleticism, accompanied by his fierce competitive spirit, laid the foundation for countless friendships. He adored sports, particularly golf, college basketball and football, Major League baseball, and horseracing. His impressive collection of sports memorabilia was only rivaled by his ability to recite the important dates, players, and statistics of his favorite teams. He hosted the Hesterly Invitational Golf Tournament for many years, and he loved to attend live sporting events with his family, especially high stakes LSU football games. He attended several World Series games to watch his beloved Giants, walked the hallowed ground of Augusta National many times, and graced Churchill Downs with his presence more than once at the Kentucky Derby – perhaps his favorite event of all. As both a coach and mentor, Pit gave freely and lovingly to a generation of young men who crossed his path. His coaching career began with Pitman at Woodvale T-ball and extended on the soccer field until Miles graduated from high school. With his coaching partner Scott Yerby, they took the LFC Arsenal to the State Championship more than once, winning the title in 2007. Pitman and Miles recognized in their father a welcoming spirit and thus never hesitated to invite their friends home. They watched in awe as their friends gravitated to their father, a man who laughed and smiled and spoke with an astounding affinity for words. From their father they learned to treat all with generosity and equanimity, to act with integrity, to speak with sincerity, and to work on their vocabulary every day. A friend once said that Pit was the person everyone wanted to sit by at a dinner party. He could spin a tale, display a vast knowledge of esoteric topics, quote Shakespeare, sing the entire musical score from Oklahoma, command the Scrabble board, spell like a champion, and name world capitals with ease. His brilliance shone in his mastery of the English language. Nobody could turn a phrase, assign a nickname, or describe life with humor and a beautiful perspective like Pit. He made life better, he made it easier, he made it more wonderful. Pit was humble, never seeking accolades or applause. He served many people of all walks of life and gave generously to his family and friends. This was testimony to his character --- he preferred to give than to receive, and his favorite moments were treating his family to a fine meal, a glorious trip, or a long journey on the road. He lived to create lasting memories for Elizabeth, Pitman, and Miles. And this, indeed, he did. Pit's heart was full of love for his fellow man, most notably evident in his intense desire to help people suffering with addiction. Having gone through treatment for substance abuse himself, Pit felt led by God to help others who struggled. He supported them, with God's direction, to find a new life of sobriety. Pit cherished his church, Episcopal Church of the Ascension, and he loved his church family who prayed for him faithfully for 25 years. He served the Lord well at Ascension: as a vestry member and Junior Warden, as Co-Chairman of the Capital Campaign, as an usher and youth minister, as a member of the Men's Club, as a Stewardship volunteer, and as a student of God's Word in the Adult Bible Study class on Sunday mornings. He was also a graduate of Disciples of Christ in Community. Pit served on the Board of Directors of the Lafayette Town House, the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, and The Well. Pit participated in Relay for Life as a team member as runners ran through the night, raising money for American Cancer Society. He organized the Games of Acadiana Triathlon, enlisting the help of many local runners to benefit The Miles Perret Center. He was a former member of Oakbourne Country Club and Escondido in the Hill Country of Texas, two places where he showcased his love of golf with friends. In keeping with Pit's magnificent capacity for friendship, Pitman and Miles have asked some of Pit's closest friends to stand as an Honor Guard as we say farewell. We thank Danny Alpha, Reed Andrus, Debra Bacon, Stephen Baker, Scott Brupbacher, Michael Catrino, Kevin Colomb, Page Cortez, Suzanne Desonier, Bill Dukes, Robert Fabris, Steve Frantz, Guy Fuller, Mike Grimm, Jeanine Haller Piskurich, George Harris, Bill Hesterly, John Hesterly, Leon Hirsch, Lee Johnson, Gary Laborde, Tom Lee, Joey LeRouge, Russell Levenson, Tommy Maggio, Joe Martin, Rodney Mendoza, Walter O'Roark, Jr., Walter O'Roark, III, Marie Oury, Hunter Perret, Richard Powell, Gary Salmon, Ned Simmons, Dale Thevenet, Scott Thompson, Ricky Veron, Russell Voyles, Morgan Wolfe, and Scott Yerby for honoring Pit in this way, representing true and authentic friendship. An Honor Guard ceremoniously protects a fallen soldier. We thank these friends for walking with Pit as we lay him to rest after a long and arduous battle. Bearer of the Paschal Candle will be Barbara Alexander whose daily support offered to our family was a beautiful ministry. Crucifer will be Mike Immel, the dearest of friends. Readers will be Matthew Cortez, Suzy Lynch Cummings, Susan Powell, and Barbara Simmons. Ushers will be Adam Andrus, Justin Guidry, Ross Guidry, Nicholas Malagarie, Parker Reaux, and Drew Saab. Eulogists at the Reception following the Service will be The Reverend Honey Becker, Danny Alpha, Page Cortez, Bill Dukes, George Harris, Bill Hesterly, Joe Hesterly, Richard Powell, and Robert Powell. Pit is survived by his wife of almost 38 years, Elizabeth O'Roark Hesterly, his son James Pitman Hesterly, III, and wife Natalie Tuminello, and their daughter Grace Elizabeth Hesterly, soon to be born, his son Miles Crocker Hesterly, and wife Courtney Sykes, and their newborn son Charles McConnell Hesterly who Pit met just before his entrance into heaven; sister Cynthia Hesterly Powell and her husband Richard Powell; sister in law Kay Hesterly; brother William Stephens Hesterly and his wife Denise Anderson; sister Mary Hesterly Frantz and her husband Steve Frantz. Pit is also survived by his wife's family: Walter O'Roark, Jr., his father in law; Betsy Vigorito, his mother in law; Walter O'Roark, III, and his wife Bell deGravelle; Rebecca O'Roark Voyles and her husband Russell Voyles; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved him like a father. He is also survived by Drew Saab and Parker Reaux, two young men he loved as honorary sons. He leaves behind his special friend Marie Oury who he considered his French daughter. Also left behind to grieve his absence is his little ballerina "Adelaide," his cherished Sheltie. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife's stepfather John Vigorito, and his wife's cousins Gretchen David Vincent and her son Michael Walker Vincent. He was also predeceased by his beloved brother John Joseph Hesterly with whom he shared a special bond and who walked with him through a difficult journey with grace. Pit counted on John for his exceptional professional skills, faithful companionship, and the godly devotion of a best friend. Their dual diagnoses might have shattered a lesser pair of men, yet they held onto each other in prayer and faith, exhibiting inspirational strength, courage, and fortitude. With deepest appreciation and admiration the family acknowledges Pit's friend and oncologist Dr. Gene Brierre, PA Eric Buller, Mary, Isabella, the entire staff at Dr. Brierre's office, the loving staff in the lab, the compassionate care given to us at the Infusion Center, and the excellent skills we received on the Lourdes Oncology 6th Floor. We thank God for our medical team at MD Anderson where Pit received a stem cell transplant in April 2021. Our hearts are grateful for two superior nurses, Soya Joseph and Sharon Bledsoe, who became treasured friends. We thank Dr. Srdan Verstovsek, Dr. Uday Popat, and PA Sanjai Sabu, for their extraordinary care throughout our medical marathon. We owe special thanks to the anonymous stem cell donor without whom Pit's transplant could not have occurred. This unnamed person gave our family hope. To everyone who donated blood on Pit's behalf, our family will forever be grateful for your gift of life that sustained Pit for many months. The Hesterly Family thanks Dianne Alexander, Alan Davis, Kenneth Guidry, Bryan Hebert, and Carlos Russo for their devotion to Pit in his last months. The family will receive visitors in Coughlin Hall at Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 1030 Johnston Street, from 4 pm until 8 pm on Monday, May 2. A celebration of Pit's life will be held in the sanctuary on Tuesday, May 3 at 4 pm, officiated by the Reverend Joseph Daly. A reception with eulogies will follow in Coughlin Hall. Pit's life was one of superlatives. He was the most devoted husband, the most precious father, the most loving brother, the most giving friend. Memorial gifts in his name may be made to Episcopal Church of the Ascension, MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4464, Houston, TX 77210-4464, or any philanthropy of your choice. Share your condolences, words of comfort or send memorial gifts to the family of Mr. James Pitman Hesterly Jr. by visiting www.lafuneralservices.com. Mr. Hesterly and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Louisiana Funeral Services & Crematory of Broussard (337) 330-8006.