Lee Wallace Joseph Begnaud, 95, of LeBleu Settlement passed away at 11 P.M. on Monday, Dec. 19, 2022 in a Jennings veteran home.
Mr. Begnaud was born on Oct. 17, 1927 in Lafayette where he was raised before moving to Lake Charles in 1960. As a young man, he served our country in the US Navy during World War II. Upon discharge, he joined the W.B. Williamson American Legion Post #1 where he was a member for the next 73 years. Mr. Begnaud worked in the construction industry for more than forty years and retired as a supervisor for Port City Construction. He was of the Catholic faith and belonged to the Senior Center in Moss Bluff.
He was a talented Cajun music musician and was honorably inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He took pleasure in playing music for the residents at numerous local nursing homes. Mr. Begnaud also had the talent of making Cajun French accordions for several well known musicians, including Keith Frank and BooZoo Chavis.
Mr. Begnaud was a creative man who always found a way to get a job done, including proudly building his house himself. He enjoyed working in his yard and keeping it eye appealing when he was not cheering on the LSU tigers or the Saints.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Lynne M. Leach (Raymond) of Ragley, Julie Fruge (Burchman Jr.) of Lake Charles, Diana Thibodeaux (Danny) of Benton, Ak., and Virginia Dale Begnaud of Nebraska; grandchildren, Theresa Broussard Hearn, Charles Broussard, Trey Fruge, Crystal Masters, and Dana McCuller; eight step-grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Dorothy Begnaud; his parents, Martha and Walter Begnaud; five sisters; and a friend, Jean Carrier.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in the Johnson Funeral Home chapel. The Very Rev. Anthony Fontenot will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will begin on Thursday from 11 a.m. until the start of the service.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer Association, alz.org.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.