Benjamin W. Ben Mount

Benjamin W. "Ben" Mount, 62, prominent local attorney and husband of Louisiana Senator Willie Landry Mount, passed away at 2:45 AM Saturday, December 3, 2011 in his residence surrounded by his family.

Mr. Mount was born May 25, 1949 in Lake Charles, LA and raised in Iowa, LA. He was a graduate of Iowa High School, McNeese State University and Louisiana State University Law School. Ben was a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association for 37 years as well as the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association. At the time of his death he was the Chairman of the Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors. Mr. Mount was the Founding Member of the Louisiana Lung Cancer Partnership. He also served as Board Chairman of Women's and Children's Hospital, Board member of Sowela Vocation and Technical School Foundation and Chancellor for the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Ben was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Lake Charles and served as Past Lake Charles Layleader, Lake Charles Past District Chairperson of Council on Ministries; Present: Chairperson Lake Charles District Committee on District Superintendence and Lay Speaker as well as many other positions with in the Louisiana Methodist Conference Board. Mr. Mount was the 2009 King of the Krewe of Mystique, 2006 Civic Service Award winner by the Chamber of the Southwest, Board of Trustees member of the Family and Youth Foundation, served on the Board and served as President of the Board of the Calcasieu Parish Women's Shelter, The Calcasieu Kiwanis Club, Lake Charles Mental Health Advisory Board, as well as Crusade Chairman and Special Contacts Chairman of the American Cancer Society. Ben also served in many capacities for the Calcasieu Historical Preservation Society and many other Community and Civic Organizations.

Ben had a love of life, people and youth. One of his greatest joys was coaching the South Lake Charles Little League and leading the team to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.

Survivors include his wife of thirty-five years, Willie Landry Mount, his mother Mrs. Betty Storer Mount, mother-in-law, Willie Landry, two sisters, Ann Courville and husband James, and Jean Kamla and husband Roger; sister-in-law, Sandy Moore and husband Nolan; brother-in-law, Dr. Richard Landry and wife Gaye, sister-in-law Marsha Chapman and husband Ted, and 14 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Crawford Mount and father-in-law, Lee R. Landry.

His Memorial Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Monday, December 5, 2011 at 12:00 PM. Reverend Weldon Bares will officiate. Inurnment will follow at the Church. A gathering of Family and Friends will be from 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM, Sunday, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Lung Cancer Partnership, McNeese State University Foundation, Louisiana State University Foundation, First United Methodist Church or the Charity of one's choice.