James H. "Jim" Wetzel Sr.

Jim died peacefully Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, at the Butterfly Wing of Hospice of Baton Rouge from metastatic prostate cancer. He was 90 years old, a native of New Orleans and a resident of Baton Rouge since 1975. Preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Shirley C. Wetzel; son, James H. Wetzel Jr.; parents, James G. and Mary D. Wetzel; and brother, George J. Wetzel. Survived by daughters, Col. Karen J. Wetzel, U.S.A.F. (Ret.) and daughter-in-law, Claudette Oster, and Susan W. Bradle and son-inlaw, James; brothers, Thomas D. Wetzel and sister-in-law, Phyllis, and Donald C. Wetzel and sister-in-law, Eleanor; sister, Amelia W. Wagner and brother-in-law, E.J.; nine grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. Jim started a long and distinguished career in the health insurance industry with Blue Cross of New Orleans in 1949. He moved to Baton Rouge in 1975 as the VP for Administrative Services for Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana, retiring in 1984 with more than 34 years of service. He was a proud U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and Korea, and a life member of VFW Zachary Taylor Post No. 3784. Jim graduated from Jesuit High School and Tulane University. He attended St. Louis King of France Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. Special thanks in Baton Rouge. Special thanks to Hospice of Baton Rouge for their exceptionally compassionate care for Jim and our family. Visitation at St. Benilde Catholic Church, 1901 Division St., Metairie, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Inurnment will be in Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, following religious services. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Hospice of Baton Rouge/Hospice of Baton Rouge Inpatient Unit, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 (www.hospicebr.org) or the Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-0611 (www.alz.org).