Lester Joseph Guillory, Jr.

Lester "Les" Joseph Guillory, Jr., 75, of Mamou, Louisiana, passed away peacefully with family at his side on Monday, September 22nd, 2025. Les lived his life with a ready grin, a listening ear, a warm hug, and a thoughtful mind. He was a bright light, and he will be missed by the many people whose lives he enriched.

Born on November 7th, 1949, in Biloxi, Mississippi, to Lester Joseph Guillory, Sr. and Bernice "Nicky" Thibodeaux Guillory (née Bernice Bernadette Thibodeaux). As a child, Les moved many times while his father served in the Air Force, but eventually the family settled near extended family in Mamou, Louisiana. Les graduated from Mamou High School in 1967, then earned his Electrical Engineering degree from Louisiana State University in 1971 and went on to earn advanced degrees from Louisiana State University and the University of Southern California. Les served his country as an officer in the Air Force, both here in the United States and in Germany. Following his military service, he pursued a career as a project engineer. His attention to detail and problem-solving skills were great benefits to his career, where he was known for his ability to find where the built product was deviating from the drawn plans while it was still relatively easy to fix. In the subsequent consulting phase of his career, he enjoyed helping international companies negotiate mutually beneficial contracts.

On May 30th, 1971, Les married Barbara Sue McDaniel at Christ the King Chapel on the Louisiana State University campus, and together they shared 54 years of marriage. They raised two children together:
• Brad Guillory Durrow (née Brad Marcus Guillory), married to Pauline "Pauli" Faith Durrow (née Pauline Faith Kwiatkowski)
• Robin Kelly Guillory, married to Victor Henry van Berkel

He took great pride in his family, cherishing game nights and days at the pond with his brother and sisters and time spent with his grandchildren playing D&D, on frequent FaceTime calls, mentoring piano studies, and teaching them to swim:
• Dexter Henry van Berkel
• Justin James Durrow
• AJ Durrow
• Luna Bell Durrow

Les was always proud of his Cajun heritage; he came from a family of boating and fishing enthusiasts, and he carried that passion forward to another generation. Many of his friendships were nurtured by sharing time and space on a boat, catching little more than sunburns. In retirement, Les served his community in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and as a mentor to youth and adults alike. Recently, Les challenged himself to first obtain a general aviation license, then get instrument rated. He found great joy in teaching archery to others, using his ability to spot anomalies (honed in his career) to identify opportunities for improvement. Late in life, he found a love for nurturing orchids, to great effect-many spectacular specimens brightening his home with their prolific blooms. He took pride in maintaining his backyard so it was always ready for visitors that might drop by for lunch or a dip in the sparkling pool that he meticulously maintained.

Les was preceded in death by his parents and his older sister Deborah "Debbie" Jane Guillory. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Barbara Sue Guillory; his children; his grandchildren; his brother Michael Wayne Guillory, sisters Denise Guillory Fusilier (née Denise Katherine Guillory) and Roxanne "Roxy" Guillory Smith (née Roxanne Carol Guillory); and by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A lifelong Catholic and frequent choir member, he has been a parishioner of Saint Agnes for the last twelve years. A Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, from 3:30 to 4:30 at Saint Agnes Catholic Community (Church), 1920 Newburg Road in Louisville, Kentucky, immediately followed by a Funeral Mass with Father Sebastian Konnully presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to cancer research, to the Douglass Community Center, or to a charity of choice.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." – Matthew 5:4