John Leslie "Knuck" LeBlanc, 81, of Bluffton, SC, passed away suddenly on Friday, November 4, 2022, in Gulf Breeze, Florida, surrounded by his dearest friends. Born in Houma, John made his worldly debut on August 27, 1941, in the middle of hurricane season. He grew up to be the valedictorian and a three-sport letterman at St. Francis de Sales, but - ever obstinate - informed his father that he had no intention of going to college. However, after one memorable summer spent tarring roofs in the Louisiana sun, John was off to the big city of New Orleans to enroll at Loyola University (Class of '63). While there, he joined the Men of Beggars and formed the very friendships that would carry him through his final hours. A Coast Guard Reservist, John had a vibrant career in marketing that took him from New York to Los Angeles before he met his future wife Cameron while vacationing in Jamaica. The pair later married, then raised two daughters, first in Spartanburg, SC, then Lilburn, GA, before retiring to Bluffton in 2017. An avid traveler, John enjoyed the trip of a lifetime, walking both the Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena with his best friend Patrick and crossed over a dozen new countries off his bucket list while traveling with Cameron. John was known for his razor-sharp wit, his ready laugh, his generosity of spirit, and his Cajun cooking. He delighted in being both Dad and Papa and took pride in every accomplishment, no matter how small. From Jordan's first home run to Claudette's first starring role, John was a constant presence in his girls' lives, and he delighted in cheering just as loudly for his grandkids' big events. John is survived by his wife, Cameron; his daughters Claudette LeBlanc and Jordan (Michael) Deffenbaugh; and his grandchildren Bennett Gagnon and Landon, Kenzie, and Hailey Deffenbaugh. A memorial Mass will be held on Friday, November 11, at 10:30 am at St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Villa La Paz Foundation.

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Published by The Times-Picayune on Nov. 9, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John LeBlanc

Sponsored by Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel.

22 Entries

David Maida

April 16, 2023

My condolences, Cameron, from an old friend, David Maida. (Bull & Associates)

Bill Andersen

Planted Trees

John Newcomb

November 19, 2022

Kathleen and I are deeply saddened by Knuck´s death, and our hearts go out to Sparkle and to the entire family.

It´s clear from these messages that Knuck has been an ongoing presence in many of our lives for a long time. I also knew Knuck as a Beggar at Loyola. The great memories revealed in Dave´s photos reflect how much he contributed to the good times we all enjoyed. It didn´t end with Loyola. When Kathleen and I first lived in New York City during the early `70s, Knuck had moved there too. And, yes, he had his guitar, and we debated the critical issues of the time, laughed a lot, and sang old songs at his apartment. A few years later, Knuck, Sparkle and Claudette joined us for a vacation on Pensacola Beach. The accompanying picture shows Knuck and Claudette with my kids, Brent and Alison. Both vividly remember Knuck from that trip and from the too-few times thereafter when we visited the LeBlanc family in Spartanburg ...a testament to the effect of Knuck´s personality on young minds!

Over the years since, email has been the principal means by which we stayed in touch, especially of late when "the Upperclassman" has been at the center of a group of "curmudgeons" who regularly share humor, political views, and what could laughingly be called "philosophy". Knuck could always be counted on to deliver wry wit and insights to the topic at hand. He has left a void in that network of friends that can´t be filled. I don´t think I´ll ever become accustomed to not seeing "John L LeBlanc" at the top of our emails.

Linda Dennis

November 16, 2022

Prayers and blessings to Sparkle, and the girls! So terribly sad!

Keegan (Bob) Federal

November 14, 2022

I am devastated by John’s sudden death, and cannot fathom the depths of grief suffered by Sparkle, Claudette,
and Jordan. Having met in 1961 at Loyola in New Orleans, our friendship stayed intact over all these 60+ years and I was fortunate that we saw a good deal of each other and spent many good times together. John’s incredibly sharp wit, and amazing repertoire (he knew more lyrics to the oldies-but-goodies than anybody), and ability to adapt his guitar-playing to pretty much any song, made him the life of every gathering he attended. (I always insisted that he bring his guitar every time he and Sparkle came to visit — and he always did.) John also had sage advice when it came to raising children, and he took a sincere interest in mine; he was a great Dad. Sparkle was the love of his life, as he was of hers; he was a truly warm, supportive, caring, and loving husband — one to emulate. John also loved his Church and was an ardent and devoted Catholic throughout his life. And he was a wonderful support to me and my family during our struggles. I still can’t believe I can’t pick up the phone and call him when I need help, or encouragement, or advice, or a laugh — he always provided.

You kept the faith, ran a great race, enjoyed the gift of life, and helped lots of folks along the way, John. You will be sorely missed, my brother — always.

Nancy and John Kulavic

November 14, 2022

Dear Cameron, Claudette and Jordan,
We´re so sorry to hear of John´s passing. We remember him
As a kind, sweet man who
Always had a smile on his face. Thinking and praying for all
Of you.
Love, The Kulavic Family

Janet McDonald

November 11, 2022

Please know that I continue keeping Cameron, Claudette, Jordan & John's family in my thoughts. The suddenness of John's death is tragic and heartbreaking for all who had the opportunity to know him. My interaction with John was brief, but I remember his keen wit and ability to make all feel welcome in his home. May God's Spirit provide a sense of peace and healing to your family.

Dave Siegwald

November 10, 2022

Dave Siegwald

November 10, 2022

Dave Siegwald

November 10, 2022

Dave Siegwald

November 10, 2022

I first met Knuck in 1961 at a Beggars rush party when I was a freshman at Loyola. Little did I know that it was the beginning of a wonderful 61 year friendship. During those Loyola years we shared apartments, we drank together, we watched games together on Saturday afternoons while we ate fried chicken from Jim's, we played those damn pinball machines together, we just hung out and talked about life together.The great thing is, we knew how much fun we were having.
As the years have gone by we were lucky enough to be able to maintain our friendship. We had more than a few real Big Chill reunions where we all cooked together and then enjoyed the fruits of our labor as we talked about our next meal and philosophized about everything.

Thank you John for being a wonderful friend.

Here are three pictures. The first is our boy at Mardi Gras in 63 I think. The second is to verify the Stickman's story about the band. The third was taken this past April in Pensacola in front of the Coast Guard monument. By the way, to add to the legend, John might be the only Coast Guardsman in history who never learned how to swim.

Ina Federal

November 10, 2022

Good friend and great cook. Thankful to John for introducing me to Doug Kershaw and zydeco music. Always loved my time with John and Sparkle.

Jim and Betty Leonard

November 10, 2022

We have many fond memories of times spent at events at The Retreat, at dinners, and of “Happy Birthdays”. We will miss our friend. God bless Cameron and her family.

Lloyd LeBlanc

November 9, 2022

I am lucky to have known him as a nagging but close brother when we were small (I being 3 years older). This carried through over the years as well as it can when everyone is separated by many miles. I know John enjoyed life, and that is enough at this juncture. RIP.

Tom Gardner

November 9, 2022

I did not know John but I know Cameron and that tells me he was one special person. My heart and prayers go out to John and his family. May he rest in peace.

Nick and Karen Mandalas

November 9, 2022

We were blessed to call John our friend. He will always have a special place in our heart.

Ernie & Ramona Leary

November 8, 2022

With sadness, our condolences. We will remember John and his fig trees with smiles.

Tina Derke

November 8, 2022

So many wonderful memories in Spartanburg where our friendship began. Time spent with John left your face aching from laughter. A beautiful soul has left this earth. He Vic will be dearly missed.

Ron Buro

November 8, 2022

Hello John Leslie, you know you gave me something I’ll always have with me “StIckman”
I laughed the first time I met you, laughed when we wore wigs and played Beatle songs, and kept me laughing for over 50 years. You were unique and smart and so much fun.
I will miss you Knuck, hope to meet again.
Oh, probably not a good idea to have a nickname for Our Lord when you meet him.
Love you Knuck
Stickman

Ruth and Paul Friedberg

November 8, 2022

Thanks for the memories, you will be missed. Love ya, John.

Sam Snow

November 8, 2022

A life well lived.
Rest in Peace Mr. LeBlanc.

Dee Martin

November 8, 2022

To my sister Cameron and nieces Claudette and Jordan, I wish I could be there with you all. I'm thinking about you and hoping you're remembering happier times. There's so much to say about John LeBlanc I don't know where to start! I'll remember him with affection as one of the few extraordinary people I've ever known. Wickedly funny, a fantastic storyteller, a great cook, brilliant without any condescension -- and above all a kind and compassionate human being. Well played John. Love & peace to all from Dee

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