Leon Joseph Duhon

Leon Duhon, 87, of Grand Lake, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 23.

Leon was born on October 20, 1937, to Jesse Duhon and Bernice Thibodeaux Duhon Guillory. He was married to the love of his life, Shelba “Lucy,” for 64 years. Leon was a 1956 graduate of Grand Lake High School, where he played basketball and 6-man football. He also played in a men’s softball league. Leon graduated from McNeese State University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education.

Leon started his teaching career in Vinton, where he taught for one year. He then spent the next 35 years at his alma mater, Grand Lake High School, where he taught elementary math and 7th-grade math. He also served as the girls’ high school basketball head coach for one year, as well as the coach for girls' track. His track team won the 1973 Class C State Championship. Leon was also instrumental in starting the Little Dribblers basketball program for elementary students at Grand Lake and coached many elementary teams. He finished his career at Grand Lake as the guidance counselor. Leon touched the lives of countless students through his years of teaching and coaching. He served our country as a Naval Reservist for 10 years.

In addition to his passion for teaching and coaching, Leon loved gardening and farming. For many years, he and Lucy grew a large truck garden where the community could buy fresh vegetables. For a couple of years, Leon also dabbled in soybean farming and crawfish farming. In his spare time, Leon was an avid duck hunter and fisherman. Leon and Lucy loved watching their children and grandchildren in their various sporting events. For many years, Leon and Lucy were members of the McNeese Cowboy Club. Leon was a devoted McNeese Cowboy fan, and he and Lucy enjoyed attending many football and basketball games. Upon retirement, Leon and Lucy enjoyed several mini vacations together.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Shelba “Lucy”; children, Cindy (Wayne) Hebert, Pam Woodgett, and Gary (Angie) Duhon; grandchildren, Brannon (Leann) Hebert, Brittany (Trent) Duplechian, Heather (Mike) Girven, and Devon and Dylan Duhon; seven great-grandchildren; and his brother, Larry Duhon.

Leon is preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Irving Joe Gossett; mother-in-law, Ella Gossett; and brother-in-law, Donald Gossett.

The family would like to give a special, heartfelt thank you to Sherie, Rachel, Julie, Jen, and Nneka from Heart of Hospice for their compassionate care.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM and continue until the funeral service at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA 70605. Burial will follow the funeral service at Highland Memory Gardens.