Earl Franklin Quarles, Jr.

Earl Franklin 'Buddy' Quarles, 82, of Lake Charles commenced eternal life at 2:18 AM on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 in a local hospital. He was a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather focusing on family first.

Born the eldest son of Earl Quarles, Sr. and Cleola 'Lola' Ferguson in Zwolle, LA on June 6, 1938, he rose from humble beginnings at the climax of the Great Depression. At the age of 8, he learned early the value of an honest dollar and importance of hard work ethics following the untimely passing of his father at the age of 35 from asthma complications. Later in 1946, two families united between Lola and Shon Castillo, Sr. adding several siblings to a modest homestead, Buddy began an interest in boxing and attended Landry High School. At the footsteps of Josephine and Gladys, he entered the US Navy in 1957 serving on the USS Yorktown CVS10 aircraft carrier.

After starting a family and serving in the US Navy, he worked at Chennault Commissary demonstrating social skills that was useful in his supervisory position at Lake Charles Water Company. In 1975, he changed career and became employed at Hercules, Inc. as an operator and retired as a safety coordinator from LyondellBasell.  Mr. Quarles was a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, JoEllen Quarles of Lake Charles; sons, Jerry Wayne and Michael Timothy Quarles both of Lake Charles; stepdaughters, Desiree Cradeur LeBlanc (Michael) of Houston, TX, Dana Lynn Cradeur of Naples, FL, and Dina Marie Cuccio (Nick Joseph, Jr.) of Lake Charles; siblings, Rosemary Smith of Dallas, TX, Gladys Fortsch of Athens, TN, Gerald R. Quarles (Patty) of Lake Charles, Lloyd Quarles of Beaumont, CA, Ronald Quarles (Margie) of Lake Charles, and Virginia Panunto (Paul) of Camp Wood, TX; and step-grandchildren, Austin, Blake, Chad LeBlanc, Caterina (Loveless) Maple, Nick Cuccio, and Marco (Mary) Cuccio; two step-great grandchildren; as well as, numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cleola and Earl Quarles, Sr., sister, Josephine Schapker, and step siblings Eugene Castillo, Shon Castillo, Jr., Beatrice Painter, and Margie Corbello.

A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, January 29, 2021 at St. Margaret Catholic Church.  Father Nathan Long will officiate.  Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation will begin at the church from 12:00 PM until the start of the service with a rosary being recited at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Margaret Catholic Church.