Alvin J. A.J. Abshire

Alvin J. "A.J." Abshire, 84, of Lake Charles passed away Saturday, March 24, 2012 in a local hospital.

Mr. Abshire was born and raised and lived his younger years in Sulphur, LA. He has lived the past thirty years in Lake Charles. He served the United States Marine Corps during World War II and was a member of the VFW and American Legion. He worked his younger years as a Butcher in Sulphur and retired after fifteen years as a Boilermaker for Union Local #587 in Orange, TX.

Mr. Abshire enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening, having especially loved his rose gardens. He had a lifelong soft spot for dogs. His greatest times were those spent with Theresa, his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Abshire will be most remembered for his overwhelming generosity and "his green thumb".

He leaves to honor his memory, one son, J.L. Langley and wife Peggy of Lake Charles; one daughter, Linda Darbonne and husband Steve of Lake Charles; three grandchildren, Chad Langley and wife Tiffany, Stephen Darbonne and wife Samantha and Michelle Fontenot and husband Brandon, all of Lake Charles; eleven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Connie Young and husband Donald of Carlyss and Barbara Smith and husband John of Winnsboro, LA and his dearest friend, Theresa Smith of Moss Bluff.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Abshire and Lizette Vincent Gallette Roy; two brothers, Enos and Glenn Abshire and three sisters, Lee Pearl Billedeaux, Lois Broussard and Doris Goodfriend.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 27, 2012 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Father Alan Trouille will officiate. Interment will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation Monday will be from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue Tuesday from 8:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home.