Ronald Desselle

Ronald "Ronnie" James Desselle, age 82, of Zachary, LA, passed away peacefully on the evening of Friday, February 7, 2025, at Hospice of Baton Rouge in The Butterfly Wing of Baton Rouge General - Mid City. Born on May 8, 1942, in Moreauville, LA, Ronnie was a cherished son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and a true pillar of his community. Known for his protective and heroic nature, he dedicated 30 years to serving as an esteemed officer with the Baton Rouge Police Department before retiring as a Lieutenant in 1996.

Even after his retirement from the police force, Ronnie continued to leave an indelible mark on the Baton Rouge area through his business, Desselle & Son Construction, in which he developed numerous commercial sites throughout the city. He had a passion for gardening, fishing, watching classic Western films, and indulging in his favorite treat: BlueBell ice cream. A deeply devoted member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Zachary, LA, Ronnie also took great joy in attending mass at St. Peter Catholic Church in Bordelonville, LA.

Ronnie is survived by his children, Glen Desselle and wife Kelly, Karen Wesson and husband Darian, his grandchildren: Jessica Neal and husband Michael, Ashton Hayes and husband James, Anthony Desselle and fiancée Heather, and Kristen Avocato and husband Sean, along with 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his five siblings: Ernest Desselle Jr., Jules Desselle, Philip Desselle and wife Peggy, John Desselle and wife Denise, and Doris Clouatre and husband Milton. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 57 years, the love of his life, Helen Reech Desselle, as well as his parents, Ernest Lynn Desselle and Esla Lemoine Desselle, and his siblings, Janell Michel, Esla Mae "Nancy" Cosper, Lynn "Sonny" Desselle, and Eugenia Mae Desselle.

Memorial services will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Zachary on Saturday, February 22, 2025, conducted by Father Lamar Partin. A viewing will take place from 9:00-11:00 AM, followed by Mass at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow the conclusion of Mass in the church hall. A private graveside service will be conducted at a later date at St. Peter Catholic Church in Bordelonville, LA, by Father Louis Sklar, where Ronnie will be laid to rest beside his late wife, Helen. Honorary pallbearers are Darian Wesson, Anthony Desselle, Michael Neal, James Hayes, and Sean Avocato. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to Open Hands Sharing God's Love, a Christian not for profit organization with a mission of sharing God's love through helping others, based out of Bordelonville, LA.

Ronnie's legacy of service, devotion, and love will forever be cherished by his family, friends, and all who knew him.