James Jim Lafargue

James "Jim" LaFargue, a resident of Lake Charles, passed away at home on July 21st from cancer.

Jim was born on July 15, 1943 to Murphy and Odeal LaFargue in Elton, Louisiana and spent his childhood in Lake Charles. He graduated from Lake Charles High School in 1961 and from McNeese State University in 1966. After graduation, Jim married his wife Becky and served as an active duty Officer in the U.S. Army stationed in San Antonio.

After honorably completing his duty, Jim worked for over thirty years at Amoco Production Company where he will be fondly remembered by his former colleagues in Lake Charles, Lafayette and New Orleans. Jim retired from Amoco in 1999 and moved back to his hometown after spending ten years in Slidell. In 2001, Jim and Becky opened up Bridgepointe Framing with his brother Phil LaFargue and wife Mable. Hundreds of people will remember him from their visits to the shop. He had a natural gift for putting people at ease and enjoyed sharing stories, always seeming to make a connection.

Jim was also an active parishioner at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church for twenty years, where he served as a lay minister, lector, Cub Scout leader, and member of the first Family Choir. In more recent years, Jim joined the congregation at St. Martin de Porres, whose community members knew him well.

Jim was a devoted father and expressed to his children recently that his love for their mother was the most important gift he could ever give them. Jim is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Becky Branton LaFargue, their four children and their families: Michelle LaFargue Baxter and Eric Baxter of Littleton, Colorado; Carrie LaFargue McNeely and John McNeely of Mandeville; Christopher LaFargue and Luke Zahner of Washington, DC; Mandy LaFargue Richardson and Jay Richardson of Baton Rouge. Jim and Becky's grandchildren are Alexandra and Austin Niel of Mandeville. Jim is also survived by his sister Charlotte LaFargue Rewerts and husband Larry Rewerts, and by his brother Phil LaFargue and wife Mable Sheffield LaFargue, all of Lake Charles.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents Murphy and Odeal Pierrottie LaFargue.

His remains will be cremated. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church on Lake Street Saturday, July 24th at 10 AM followed by a mass at noon.