Dr. Allen Ellender Jr.

Dr. Allen Joseph Ellender Jr., 93, a native and resident of Houma, died at 7:45 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2014.
Visitation will be from 8:30 a.m. until funeral time Wednesday at St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with burial in St. Francis de Sales Cemetery No. 2.
He is survived by his sons, Allen Ellender III, of Boise, Idaho, Gerald Ellender and Mary, of Houma, William Ellender, of Houma, Michael Ellender, of Folsom, Claude Ellender, of Abita Springs, Charles Ellender, of Abita Springs, David Ellender and Mary Alison, of Houma, Jules Ellender and wife, Susan, of Metairie, Frank Ellender and wife, Sandy, of Houma, and Elward Ellender and wife, Margaret, of Houma; daughters, Maria Ellender Florek and husband, Mike, of Kenner, Sister Lucia "Nancy" Ellender, O.C.D., of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Carmen Ellender Waitz and husband, David, of Houma; grandchildren, Shannah Ellender, Jessica Ellender, Joshua Ellender, Cory Firmin, Sarah Ellender, Callie Ellender Blalock, Jamie Ellender, Julie Ellender Grice, Ricky Ellender, Andy Florek, Katie Florek, Ashley Ellender Lasseigne, Matthew Ellender, Claire Ellender, Kathryn Ellender, Andrew Ellender, Caroline Ellender, Jack Walsten, Will Walsten, Brian Waitz, Christopher Waitz, Jacob Waitz, Stephen Waitz, Kami Ellender, Carly Ellender, Ian Ellender, William Brennan Ellender, Evan Ellender, and Noah Ellender; great-grandchildren, Brooke Ellender, Anakyn Quina, Tate Quina, Sophie Quina, Ava Ellender, Audrey Ellender, Elise Blalock, Alex Blalock, Colin Blalock, Liza Ellender, Emily Grice, and Ari Ellender; and long-time family friend and devoted caregiver, Laura Collins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ligia Ribas Ellender; and parents, Allen Joseph Ellender Sr. and Helen Donnelly Ellender.
Dr. Allen J. Ellender Jr. was a parishioner of St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church. He was the only child of U.S. Sen. Allen J. Ellender Sr., and Helen Calhoun Donnelly. He spent his entire life in the role of service to others. His early years of service was evidenced by his becoming the first Eagle Scout in Troop 306 and by his winning the American Legion Award in high school. Dr. Ellender held degrees from Lorton Preparatory School in Houma; Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia; and Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. After he received his formal education, Dr. Ellender completed an internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans while simultaneously serving in the U.S. Army Air Force. Upon his discharge from the service, Dr. Allen began the general practice of medicine and then spent his residency in orthopedics and general surgery at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He practiced surgery for more than 20 years and industrial medicine for more than a decade. Dr. Ellender was a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He was a Diplomat of the International College of Surgeons, a member of the Surgeons Association of Louisiana, the Terrebonne Parish Medical Society, the Southern Medical Society, and the American Medical Society. Dr. Allen served as a board member of Charity Hospital in New Orleans for eight years. He was the Chief of Staff at Terrebonne General Hospital in 1963 and was a board member for six years. Dr. Ellender was a civilian doctor for the 657 Radar Squadron in Houma for more than 12 years and was the civil defense medical director of Terrebonne until 1989, servicing for more than 25 years. He served the Catholic Church as a member of the St. Francis school board and the St. Gregory school board. Dr. Allen gave selflessly to his community in other ways as a member of the Home Rule Charter of Houma committee, a member of the American Bank board, and the initial membership chairman for Ellendale Country Club. For 15 years he served as a member of the board of the Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society, and for 16 years he served as a member of the board of the Housing Authority of Houma, thirteen of those years as chairman. Dr. Ellender was also a member of the Intracoastal Realty Board (the old Houma Country Club and Golf Course), and he served as past president of several corporations. He enjoyed membership with the American Camellia Society. As a professional, his compassion for others compelled him to serve his community through medicine. He helped the handicapped students at TARC by giving them physical examinations. He volunteered his medical services to those in need throughout the community and beyond. He was also the physician for the Whiskey Pass Rodeo. Dr. Ellender was very active as a parent volunteer in the latter days of St. Francis High School and the early years of Vandebilt Catholic High School. A major supporter of Catholic education, Dr. Allen was instrumental in equipping the first science laboratory at the St. Francis Boys School in the mid-1960's.
He met the love of his life Ligia, in Puerto Rico, at the 330th station hospital at Borinquen Field (AAC) while serving in World War II. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and working in his yard.
He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to St. Gregory School in Houma and Vandebilt High School.
To request Masses and prayers, please send Mass and prayer offerings to: Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Little Rock Arkansas, 7201 West 32nd Street, Little Rock, AR 72204-4716.
To send condolences, please visit www.chauvinfuneralhome.com.
Chauvin Funeral Home in Houma is in charge of arrangements.