Louis Maurice Stern

1927 - 2024

Louis Maurice Stern passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at the age of 97. Always a gregarious and optimistic gentleman, he never met a stranger. He was born May 22, 1927 to parents Benjamin Joseph Stern and Bessie Lieber Stern in Monroe, LA. He was a graduate of Neville High School in Monroe, LA and attended LSU and Tulane where he focused on a business degree. While attending LSU, he was called up to join the Navy during WWII. Stationed in San Diego, he was trained to be a ship navigator. Called back to service in 1951, he served aboard the battleship USS Estes during the Korean War. Once honorably discharged from the Navy, he returned home to Monroe briefly before moving to New Orleans where he spent the remainder of his life. Once settled in New Orleans, Louis began a long and successful career, first as a chemical salesman, then an investment advisor with Scharff & Jones, and retired as a general contractor after 35 years of building residential homes and commercial buildings in and around the New Orleans area. He capably juggled his career all while raising and caring for a family together with his former wife Phyllis Stern. Beyond career and family, Louis had many interests. He was an avid golfer, enjoyed playing cards (mostly gin and bridge) with friends and family. As well, he was a passionate musician from the age of 11, playing his double bell euphonium in several bands including the Neville High School band, Naval Band, New Orleans Concert Band, Shrine Band and several others. His friendly nature and desire to help others lead him to leadership roles with the Home Builders Association of New Orleans, Temple Sinai, LA Masonic Lodge 102, Shriners International, Scottish Rite of New Orleans and others. Louis was thankful and grateful for having met a second love, spending the last 33 years enjoying life together with his life partner Freda Katz. Louis' greatest passion was spending time with his beloved family. He is survived by his daughter Kathy Scharff Stern (partner Ken Carson) of Metairie, LA, son Michael L. Stern of Metairie, LA, granddaughters Lauren Rabin Cohen (Todd Cohen) of St. Louis, MO and Brooke Rabin Weinstein of Austin, TX and great grandchildren Mia Cohen and Jaden Cohen of St. Louis, MO and Charles Weinstein and Eli Weinstein of Austin, TX. The family would like to thank the entire assisted living staff of Lambeth House for their devoted and attentive care as well as Guardian Angel Hospice. Services will be held on Friday, June 14, 2024 at Congregation Gates of Prayer, 4000 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, LA 70002 visitation beginning at 10:00am followed by a memorial service at 11:00am, Rabbi David Gerber officiating. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages any memorial donations be made to Jewish Children's Regional Service (JCRS), P.O. Box 7368, Metairie, LA 70010-7368 https://www.jcrs.org or Congregation Gates of Prayer, 4000 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, LA 70002 https://www.gatesofprayer.org or the charity of your choice.