James Lewis Phaup

Funeral services for James Lewis Phaup, 85, will be held on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church, 105 Peterson Street, Many, Louisiana. A burial will follow at Central Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery, 3348 University Parkway, Leesville, Louisiana. A visitation will be held at the Church on Monday, October 7, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Officiating the service will be Dr. Cyle Clayton and Dr. Jerry Penfield.

James was born on June 26, 1939 to Walter Lewis Phaup and Phyllis Griffin Phaup in Brockton, Massachusetts and passed away on October 1, 2024 in Many, Louisiana.

James grew up in Manchester, New Hampshire and graduated from Manchester High School in 1957. After high school, he joined the United States Coast Guard where he proudly served for 23 years. His military education includes completing Petty Officer Leadership and Officer Candidate School, NBC Warfare, Shipboard Damage Control, Prospective C.O., Port Safety Law Enforcement, Marine Environment Protection, instructor training, Marine Casualty Investigation, Port Safety Industry training, Introduction to Offshore Drilling, Hazardous Chemical Response, and Tankship Operations. His decorations are many. They include Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, Coast Guard Letter of Commendation, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Coast Guard Expert Rifle and Expert Pistol Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal with 2 Gold Stars. After retiring from the Coast Guard, James was employed for 15 years by Chemical Waste Management of Lake Charles, Louisiana. During this time, he purchased a house on Toledo Bend Lake where he enjoyed fishing and guiding for many years to come. Additionally, James went on to further his education by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and a Masters in Christian Counseling from Louisiana Baptist Seminary School in Shreveport, Louisiana. James said, “I spent the first half of my life saving men in the Coast Guard and the second half saving souls for Jesus.”

James is preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Phyllis Phaup; son, Stephen Lewis Phaup; and brother, Walter Stephen Phaup. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Paula Phaup; sons, Grayson Gilmore and wife, Jennifer, of Canton, Georgia, James Randal Phaup and wife, Stephanie, of Barhamsville, Virginia, and Garett Ortego of West Lake, Louisiana; daughters, Jamie Slawski of Frisco, Texas, Meredith Strahan and husband, Eric, of Chesapeake, Virginia, Caroline Shea and husband, Timothy, of Chesapeake, Virginia, and Ashlie Traylor and husband, Adam, of Stonewall, Louisiana; sister, Phyllis Bachi and husband, Kotch, of Dover, New Hampshire; brother, Richard Phaup and wife, Bonnie, of Auburn, New Hampshire; 15 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. 

Honoring James as pallbearers will be Grayson Gilmore, Garett Ortego, Fisher Phaup, Steven Phaup, A.J. Slawski, and Charlie Slawski.