Harold Paul Schexnayder Sr.

Harold Paul Schexnayder Sr. passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2025. He was born on April 7, 1933, in Donaldsonville and was a long-time resident of White Castle.
He is survived by his children, Karla Ledet (Glenn), Paul Schexnayder (Christie), Kristine Ourso (Artie), Harry Schexnayder (Laura) and Kay Hidalgo (Craig). He had 16 grandchildren, Glenn Ledet Jr. (Adrienne), Kristi Breaux (Chris), Eric Ledet (Aimee), Mallory Heath (Tyler), Aaron Schexnayder, Noah Schexnayder (Lauren), Sarah Giroir (Corey), Janie Constant (Kenny), Annie Landry (Doug), Isabelle Schexnayder, Sam Schexnayder, Cecilia Cardwell (Macklyn), Beatrice Schexnayder, Thomas Hidalgo, Grace Hidalgo, and Benjamin Hidalgo. He also had 16 great grandchildren, Evan and Adeline Ledet; Kate, Andrew and Madilyn Breaux; Jude and Lucy Ledet; Lucas and Vera Heath; Emma and William Giroir; Luke and Hazel Constant; Lucille and Christopher Landry; Marceline Cardwell and one great granddaughter on the way. Also survived by his brother Lawrence Schexnayder (Jill), sister-in-law Sandra Schexnayder, brother-in-law Harold Fabre, sister-in-law Syl Daigre, numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.
Preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mary Janice "Sweetie" Daigre Schexnayder, parents, Edward and Lucille Labiche Schexnayder Sr., his wife's parents Roland and Grace Daigre, brothers Charles Schexnayder and wife Claire, E.J. Schexnayder, Jean Schexnayder, sister Catherine Schexnayder, brothers-in-law Roland Daigre Jr. and wife Dunnie, and Tommy Daigre.
Harold was a dedicated public servant to his country, state, parish and community for the majority of his life. He was a 1951 graduate of White Castle High School and went on to graduate from LSU in 1956 with a degree in Agricultural Engineering. He served in the United States Air Force, and during that time he married his "sweetie," Mary Janice. He was honorably discharged as a Captain when he was called home to take his father's place on the family sugarcane farm. During his farming years, he served on the White Castle Town Council for 32 years, as well as on the boards of Farm Bureau, American Sugarcane League, White Castle Fertilizer Co-op, Bank of Commerce, OLPS Finance Committee, and was a member of numerous charitable organizations.
After 27 years on the family farm, he moved on to manage another farm at the LSU Sugar Research Station until 2002. He was especially proud to be part of the LSU staff at the research station when the variety LCP85-384 was selected and released in 1993 to the Louisiana sugarcane industry which significantly increased farm sugar yields and started the era of sugarcane combine harvesting in the state. During this time and after retiring from LSU, he began cane syrup-making with his good friend Big-D. He was always looking for that special sugarcane variety to produce the best-tasting syrup. Also, he enjoyed spending time at the camp in Grand Isle with Mary Janice, family and friends. Even after retirement, he remained actively involved in politics, his local community and the sugarcane industry. He will be remembered as a lifelong learner starting each day with his newspaper and a cup of coffee.
The family would like to acknowledge the staff of Daigle's Supermarket Deli (he loved his daily trips to the store in White Castle to get his plate lunch). We would like to thank the staffs of Landmark South and the Carpenter House of St. Joseph's Hospice for taking such good care of dad in his final days.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 14, at Wilbert Funeral Home in Plaquemine from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in White Castle.