Henry J. Berthelot

Henry J. Berthelot obituary

Henry J. Berthelot

Henry Berthelot Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from May 17 to May 19, 2016.
Henry J. Berthelot, 74, passed away Monday morning, May 16, 2016. He is survived by his wife of 49 wonderful years, LaVon Price Berthelot. Hank & LaVon loved each other immensely and took excellent care of one another. They traveled the world and laughed together, sharing their joy of life with so many family members and friends. He was an amazing father to the three sons he leaves behind, Dean Berthelot and wife Annette in Atlanta, GA; Jon Berthelot and wife Sarah in Lafayette, LA; and Sean Berthelot and wife Jeannine in Branford, CT. He was also incredibly proud of his five grandchildren, Jessica, Dominic, Elise, Isabelle, and Julianne. He will be missed dearly every single day. Hank was born in Baton Rouge and raised in Port Allen. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1967 and served his country courageously in Vietnam as a member of the US Army. Hank was tough. An Airborne Ranger and platoon leader, he returned from combat with three purple hearts, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and serious injuries. He retired from the Army as a Captain. He healed, adapted, and moved forward, with a fierce determination and drive that carried him through Tulane Law School. He was an oil and gas attorney for Chevron and for Freeport-McMoran until he retired in 1992. Hank was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Francis Berthelot of Paincourtville, LA, and his mother, Annie Lee Hymel of White Castle, LA. He is survived by one sister, Phyllis Vallot, her husband, Anthony Vallot, and their daughter, Valerie Vallot, who live in Houston, TX. Hank was a passionate philatelist, an avid reader, and a published author. He was always researching postal history and writing about stamps, cancellations, and the process of the mail. He contributed articles to national philatelic journals, served as editor, and even started his own international magazine on mail damaged in shipwrecks, plane crashes, or train accidents. He was a long-time member of the Crescent City Stamp Club. According to Hank, everyone should collect stamps. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1139 Oretha Castle Haley, New Orleans, LA on Thursday, May 19, 2016 at 12:30pm. Visitation will be from 10:30 am until the time of Mass. Hank will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please volunteer for or financially support Catholic Charities of New Orleans. JACOB SCHOEN & SON in charge of arrangements.

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September 18, 2024

justine sarto posted to the memorial.

August 10, 2024

justine sarto posted to the memorial.

May 11, 2023

George Domas posted to the memorial.

justine sarto

September 18, 2024

i so want to get in touch with LaVon is there a way .Justine Sarto.

justine sarto

August 10, 2024

I knew Lavone and Henry and he was such a nice man.

George Domas

May 11, 2023

Levon, I still miss him and his good friend Kerry Massari - both great soldiers and friends. I hope you are well. George Domas

Friends of Hank

June 1, 2016

The below comments are on the Jacob Schoen website at http://www.schoenfh.com/obituaries/Henry-Joseph-Berthelot-5662610723/


Hank, the late Kerry Massari and I were best friends through three years of Tulane Law School in the early 1970's. All three of us had been captains during the Viet Nam Era. Hank and Kerry were true heroes; they actually served in the war. I was a staff officer on Okinawa. But they both fully accepted me as a brother officer and the three of us were inseparable throughout law school. Hank was, irrefutably, an officer and a gentleman in the truest sense. I was, and always will be, proud to call him my friend. Charley Duffy, Houston, Texas.
Charles Duffy, III - Yesterday at 08:31 PM


Dear LaVon, My prayers are with you at this time. I can not imagine your loss for I know you loved Hank so much. Years pass however some friends are always in our hearts and you are one. I miss our times at Connie's. Life goes on. Love, Linda Hardeman Melancon
Linda Melancon - May 23 at 08:30 PM


Hank & I were roommates Firstie Year at West Point and Greg Honzo, Tom Still, Rand Shotwell and I were in their wedding party on Graduation Day. 30 years ago in Denver, CO, I had an early morning meeting at the top of the Holiday Inn on Colorado Blvd., descending in the elevator, it stopped at an intermediate floor and Hank & LaVon got on! They were going to call me, but had not. We went out to dinner at a French Restaurant with my three youngers. That was the last time we were together until the end of January when the three of us savoured a couple of days together. Hank drove me around and we had a dinner at the Maina.
Bruce Baccei - May 23 at 02:46 PM

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May 19 at 10:39 PM

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May 18 at 11:45 PM

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Love, Chad and Betty Ann - May 18 at 07:08 PM


LaVon, Barbara and I are thinking of you and your beautiful family on this loss of our beloved Brother Hank. He was my Ranger Buddy at Ft. Benning, after graduating with us from West Point. Hank was a hero in Viet Nam, and did not let his serious wounds slow him down as he became a hero in the civilian legal community in New Orleans. The Class of 1967 will miss this Great American Patriot.
Emmett Mahle - May 18 at 06:39 PM
I grew with Henry. My aunt and uncle and cousins were neighbors to his family in Port Allen. We had wonderful childhood memories. He was as wonderful a child and teenager as he was a man. My deepest sympathies to you LeVon and your family. It was an honor to be a friend, I am sorry I never got to know you and your family.
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May 18 at 05:55 PM


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May 18 at 03:57 PM


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May 18 at 02:56 PM


And God said I will make a man of intelligence. A man of integrity. A man of courage. A family man. And so Henry. God bless you and your family ,Lavon. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Anna Belle and Richard Martinez
Richard Martinez - May 18 at 02:54 PM


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May 18 at 02:13 PM


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May 18 at 12:00 PM


I AM HENRYS GODCHILD RUDY J AUCOIN AND LOVED SEEING HIM AND WILL AGAIN, HE IS AN ANGEL NOW WITH GIANT WINGS AND AT PEACE WITH HIS PARENTS , ALSO WLL BE LOOKING OVER HIS FAMILY FOREVER.
THANKYOU GODFATHER
RUDY J AUCOIN - May 18 at 09:43 AM
Rudy. Can you call me. Dean 6783868229 Dean - May 18 at 05:45 PM


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May 18 at 08:37 AM


Reva J. Allen lit a candle in memory of Henry Joseph Berthelot
Reva J. Allen - May 18 at 07:57 AM


Rhonda Price Kania lit a candle in memory of Henry Joseph Berthelot
Rhonda Price Kania - May 18 at 07:29 AM


Lavon, Peggy and want to send our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your precious husband friend. We will keep you in our prayers at this very difficult time in your life..Carson and Peggy Greene
Carson Greene - May 18 at 07:19 AM


Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you, LaVon, as you walk through these difficult days. We have special memories of our time with you all while living there in Metairie during Tulane grad school days. May you be blessed and feel the arms of Jesus wrapped tightly around you through the love of those who care so deeply. Terry & Julia McMahan
Terry & Julia McMahan - May 18 at 06:27 AM


I was around Hank only a handful of times but was always impressed with his openness, his genuine friendly demeanor and his love for his family. He was truly a gift to his family, his friends and this country. He will be missed by all who knew him. Rest in peace Hank knowing you did your all and then some.
Tom Oxley - May 18 at 06:04 AM


Hank and Lavon came in to our lives in August of 1968. We were both convalescing at Brook Army Medical Center. We were drawn to each other almost immediately because like Hank I was married to my college sweetie, Betty Ann and the vast majority of the 48 other men in our Ward were single or had wives unable to relocate to San Antonio. We four were living a pretty profound shared experience. It was easy for us to talk, share experiences, acknowledge God's grace, truly celebrate life and of course have a giggle or two.
This friendship has flourished over all these years and we watched as the three boys grew to be the outstanding men they are today. And they our son and daughter. Trust me, the picture of us setting on their sofa is a hoot. Four people with goofy grins but just five legs.
I will miss the little wrinkles Hank got at the corners of his eyes when he told a tale or just reveled with passion about one of his many interests in life. He taught me more about stamp collecting than I thought I needed to know but he was so antimated and enthusiastic it was easy to be captivated. Oh, and I loved the sight and sound of his deep laughter with the husky voice and animated facial expressions he exhibited.
Hank was to be admired for the quiet, confident demeanor that fit him so comfortably and drew people to him. Trust me the Dose Equis Most Interesting Man in the World has nothing on Hank. Plus Hank's beard is a lady-killer.
Of all the stories about Hank, my favorite, the one I have told to audiences literally dozens of times, was not one I observed but one he told me. He could be persuaded to retell it because I had tears in my eyes at his recollection every single time.
After many months Hank progressed to the point that his continuing therapy no longer required hospitalization but outpatient care was more appropriate. Hank, Lavon and son number one Dean took on Post housing in a subdivision of military families. One afternoon as he was moving from the car to the house, a black youngster who was a military dependent about 9 or so approached him.
Hank ambling along as well as you can with crutches picked up this wing man who was astride his bike but walking it to keep pace. Hank's noticeable injuries were just too interesting for the young man who could not help but ask. Mister. What happened to your fingers?
Hank went for the short answer, I was injured in the war in Viet Nam. That caused some contemplation by the youngster who next asked, Mister, why do you talk funny? Again Hank explained that he injured his neck and vocal cords at the same time as his fingers.
After a little more thought, the boy asked with more confidence what happened to Hank's leg. With just a touch of irritation Hank remarked, I broke it. With great incredulity the boy said, You broke your leg, OFF! Hank nodded and left the boy to consider all he had just learned. After a moment or two he answered in a lower voice stating a fact and not a voice of a question, Mister, you bout dead ain't ya.
Man oh man did he like to tell me that story. And I loved to hear it, so he spared no drama in telling it. That story speaks to the manner in which Hank faced life. Serious about life but not about his lot in it. A man of faith who considered every day of the last 48 years as a gift to be fully enjoyed and not bound by one crappy day in Southeast Asia. That is surely where his legacy must start. We who have known Hank have had our lives blessed by his wonderful enduring friendship. Chad and Betty Ann Colley
Chad Colley - May 17 at 11:36 PM


Oh my goodness. Hank and I were sitting in between our houses with Dean and my daughter in the little plastic swimming pool the kids shared when this happened. This is the story I too have told many, times. Hank and I made a pretty good team. He was the was the kid watcher and I was the kid chaser. Marilyn - May 19 at 09:33 AM
Blooming Garden Basket was purchased for the family of Henry Joseph Berthelot.
May 17 at 09:09 PM


Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Henry Joseph Berthelot.
May 17 at 06:59 PM


A life well lived. A man well loved.
Marilyn Daniel - May 17 at 06:51 PM


Ocean Breeze Spray was purchased for the family of Henry Joseph Berthelot.
May 17 at 04:27 PM

Alcee Seguin

May 28, 2016

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Liz Mace

May 27, 2016

Dear LaVon and Family,

I was deeply saddened by the news of Hank's passing. My heart felt condolences to you and your family.

George Domas

May 26, 2016

LaVon,
I have been visiting my new grandson in NY and only just learned of Hank's death. Hank was one of my great heroes and I admired him greatly. I feel fortunate to have known him and worked with him. Please accept my sincere condolences.
George Domas, USMA '64

Grant Tate

May 25, 2016

Outstanding sir. And by that, Captain Berthelot, I am referring to your life and the job you did in raising your son Dean. He is honest, loyal, and about as great a friend as I've ever had in this F&B industry. And about exactly as one would expect from someone whose father was so high speed. Your obituary tells me most of what I would expect from a truly great man...rising through the challenge and shaking off the fear of combat to excel in the harshest conditions. Everything else I will ever have needed to know about you is written in my third sentence, sir. The apple didn't fall far from the tree. Mission accomplished, Captain. Thank you for your service and for raising a tremendous kid. Truly remarkable life you lived, my good man. Think you've earned this resting time...

skip hensel

May 23, 2016

LaVon and Family
Sorry was not able to attend wake as I was out of town. I first met Hank at Freeport Mcmoran in the early 1990's, however I had the privelege of serving with Hank on the board of directors of the Crescent City Stamp Club for over 15 years. Hank it was an honor to know you and to share knowledge of our stamp collection, a great person who I will greatly miss.

Anita Wilkinson

May 23, 2016

Henry was courageous and exemplary in war and in life. What a legacy he leaves for his beloved family! My heartfelt prayers and sympathy are extended to all of you as you grieve the loss of this remarkable man.

Myra & Ron Chapoton

May 22, 2016

The word "SORRY" can not express our feelings on the passing of Hank. He was a wonderful husband and father. We all thank him for his service and sacrifice for our country.

J.L. & Laney Templet

May 20, 2016

Lavon and Family,
Laney and I are sorry for the passing of Henry and your tragic loss. We spent many great times together growing up and sharing family gatherings. Henry served his family and country and endured many challenges. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

David Molaison

May 19, 2016

I was honored and humbled to represent the US Army today as part of Henry's funeral service. From the comments of his friends and family I met, he was a lucky and noble man. God Bless, David M. Molaison, Major, US Army (Retired)

May 19, 2016

My sincere sympathy to your family. May the God of all comfort be with your family in your time of grief.

May 19, 2016

Sean,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. Ellen O'Reilly

Ann Byerly

May 19, 2016

Your spirit still shines among us at the Crescent City Stamp Club. Ann Byerly

Jody Wilbert

May 18, 2016

Please know you are in my prayers...he was a true hero in life.

May 18, 2016

Our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Lynda Gayle Speights Lott

Gregg M. Mace & Jennifer Yi Mace

May 18, 2016

Henry J. Berthelot is in the truest sense a gentleman, scholar, and defender of our U.S. Constitution and the human rights articulated in our Constitution. He fulfilled his oath and duties when he willingly and nearly made the ultimate sacrifice nearly 50 years ago while caring for his soldiers and defending freedom over 9,000 miles from home. Even after physical tragedy entered his life, in Hank's indubitable fashion, he accomplished more than I will ever hope to; completed his Juris Doctorate, had a successful legal career, and was a perfect parent, devoted husband and excellent friend. Hank, you not only did an excellent job when most would have lay down and quit, but you excelled at everything you did. If I have accomplished half of what you have and I am missed and loved half as much as you are, then I will leave this earth a success. You will always be my civilian and military role model. Thank you for your service. Welcome home buddy. Hooha! With love and respect, Lt. Colonel Gregg Mace, J.D. (U.S. Army, Retired) and family.

May 18, 2016

Our deepest sympathy to Hank's family on the loss of my friend a good man.
...The comfort of having a friend may be taken away, but not that of having had one. A friend is forever.
Ron, Mary, and Joseph

Frank Monaco

May 18, 2016

As a plebe in his Cadet Company in 1966, I had ultimate respect for him. He epitomized the 4th Regiment motto - "Strict, Tough, Military and Proud". Condolences to his family. Rest in Peace, well done.

May 18, 2016

My deepest sympathy for your lost. May you all find comfort in the God of all comfort because he cares you. 1Peter 5:6-7.

Paul Cline

May 18, 2016

USMA '67 has lost another one of the good guys. You were more than a classmate, you were a brother to each of us. Your life is an example of a life well lived.

May 18, 2016

My name is RUDY J AUCOIN son of MEDRIC and ODILE AUCOIN. I am HENRY J BERTHELOTs Godson witch makes him my Godfather since birth/.I did not see him a lot because he was always away but when we crossed paths it really made me happy to see him.I know now that my godfather has giant wings in heaven at peace with uncle joe and aunt maude and will always be looking over his family forever.God bless his whole family.

May 18, 2016

I am sorry for your loss. May prayer comfort you.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray constantly."

John Althans

May 18, 2016

I worked with Hank at Freeport-McMoRan. Hank was a great
person and was always smiling. It was a blessing that I knew
Hank in my circle of friends. May the Lord bless Hank's family
and give comfort to them in this time of sadness.

Chris Commons

May 18, 2016

I wanted to add a note about this man. He helped me at West Point and showed great compassion to a Plebe who knew nothing. I was but 17 and he was an older man coming in from the Army. He definitely showed me the ropes. I knew he continued this kindness throughout his life. I am sorry for his passing but know that he is with God. I pray for loving hand of God be with the family during this period.

Bob and Mary Gilbert

May 18, 2016

Phyllis, so sorry to hear about Henry's death. We are praying for you and your family.

May 18, 2016

May the God of all comfort comforts all the family at this difficult time Psm 83v 18.

May 18, 2016

Dear family I am sincerely sorry for the loss of your loved one May the God of comfort be with you during this time of sorrow and in the days ahead Psalms29:11

Patti Dunbar

May 18, 2016

I am beyond saddened to hear of the death of this great man who meant the world to so many. Included in his ranks of admirers was his cousin Diane "Punky" Hymel Dunbar, my step-mother who passed away 10 years ago this year. I know she loved Hank, LaVon and the boys so very much. On behalf of Punky I send deepest sympathies to the family. I love y'all, am honored to be connected to y'all, and am so sorry for your loss.

Letha Melancon

May 17, 2016

May Jehovah give you comfort needed to endure.

Karen Jakiela

May 17, 2016

Many thanks to both LaVon and Hank for being my friends. LaVon, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Love you very much.

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September 18, 2024

justine sarto posted to the memorial.

August 10, 2024

justine sarto posted to the memorial.

May 11, 2023

George Domas posted to the memorial.