Joseph Falgoust

Joseph Bienvenue "J.B." Falgoust, was born on November 9, 1927, and passed away on December 15, 2022, at the age of 95. He was a native and lifelong resident of Vacherie, LA. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Rose Mary Landry Falgoust; his children and spouses; Joan F. Ordoyne, Mickey (Thomas Goldenberg), Dean (Jan Dolese), Michael (Claire Reulet), Charles (Susan Bolton), Rosie (Doug Delaune), Ronald (Elaine Rodrigue) and daughter-in-law, Donna Larousse Falgoust along with 15 grandchildren and 18 great¬ grandchildren. J.B. was preceded in death by his son, Andrew J. Falgoust, and son-in-law, Ronald "Black Joe" Ordoyne. He was the last remaining son of The Bienvenue and Laura Becnel Falgoust family. His siblings were Leonard, Basile, Fred, Lloyd, Frank, Robert, Amelie Rome, and Laura Rome. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ulger and Edianne Brock Landry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Noon on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in Vacherie, LA. (Eulogy will begin at 11:45) A burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers are Dean Falgoust, Michael Falgoust, Charles Falgoust, Ronald Falgoust, Blake Falgoust and Doug Delaune. Honorary Pallbearers are Thomas Goldenberg, Brian Ordoyne, Luke Falgoust, Robbie Falgoust, Dylan Falgoust, Joseph Falgoust, Dale Folse, Luke Simon, Adam Becnel, Francis "Papoose" Folse, and Myron Reulet. J.B. graduated from St. James High School in 1945. Shortly after graduation, he was drafted by the Army at the end of World War II and was stationed in Tokyo, Japan. He received an honorable discharge on June 25, 1947, and was recognized with the following decorations and citations: Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Army of Occupation Medal, Japan and World War II Victory Medal. Upon his return home, he graduated from Soule College in New Orleans and later attended Loyola to take accounting courses. On October 1, 1951, he began his banking career at the Bank of Vacherie (First American Bank) as a clerk. He would later serve the Bank as President and CEO, Chairman of the Board and Chairman Emeritus until his retirement in 2014 (over 63 years). Prior to retirement on October 1, 2011, the main office building of First American Bank and Trust was named "The J.B. Falgoust Bank Building." J.B. ushered in a new era of growth and prosperity for the Bank and its shareholders. The positives that occurred under his vision and leadership included the growth of the Bank's assets from $2 million to $830 million, expansion from a single office in Vacherie to over 20 in Southeast Louisiana and an increase in employment from 3 employees to over 200. During his banking career, he was active in the Louisiana Bankers Association where he served as a Board Member and Treasurer. His work ethics and determination did not stop with the Bank, as he took over the family sugarcane farm in the late 1980s, where he worked side by side with his sons. On the weekends when he was not in his business suit, you were sure to find him walking the rows, or pulling Johnson grass by hand or having a shovel in his hand. J.B. was inducted into the Edward Douglas White Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 2017 and received the St. James Agricultural Tour Lifetime Achievement Award in July 2021. Until his death, J.B. was a devoted Adoration Chapel Adorer at Our Lady of Peace since its inception. His faith was the center of his life and is what made him such a remarkable man. J.B. was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend to so many and most importantly a faithful servant of the Lord. Landry's Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.