James "Jimmy" Fusilier

James Anthony “Jimmy” Fusilier, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the age of 78 in his home. Born in Ville Platte, LA, to Joffrey and Irene Fontenot Fusilier, he grew up there and graduated from Ville Platte High School in 1963. Following graduation, he moved to Lake Charles to attend McNeese State University.  Jimmy began his career working for the Port of Lake Charles and went on to work for the State of Louisiana in Public Health, retiring after 30 years of service.

Jimmy was a man who lived life to the fullest. In his young adult years he had many interests including fishing, camping and traveling. He would take his family on many camping adventures across the United States exploring National Parks and every interesting sites along the way. He also enjoyed playing racquetball and spent many weekends traveling with his family and friends to tournaments across Louisiana. At the height of his racquetball days, he won the title of State Racquetball Champion in Doubles.

Jimmy went out of his way to make family-time fun. He loved Easter time in Ville Platte. In preparation, he would gather 60 dozen eggs for the Annual Fusilier Family Easter Pocking Contest. It’s a tradition that will now hold a special memory for his family.

In his retirement years, he enjoyed traveling and spending time with his friends and family at his camp in Lake Arthur. He loved to fish, cook and to sit out on his Wharf and listen to his Golden Oldies music.

His infectious spirit and warmth made him a friend to everyone, and his absence will be deeply felt. In memory of a life well-lived, Jimmy Fusilier will be missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those who knew him.

Left to cherish his memory is the mother of his children, Karen Fusilier, his son, Jason Fusilier (Denise), his daughter, Kristie Fusilier Evans; his grandchildren, Emily and Alec Fusilier, and Madison and Matthew Evans; his sister, Barbara Hesnor; his brother, Michael Fusilier (Debbie); many nieces and nephews and his companion, Billie Vidrine.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Joffre Wendel Fusilier (Francis Augustine Fusilier) and his great grandchild, Noah Blaine Guillory.

A celebration of Jimmy’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, February 1, 2024, in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA. Msgr. Harry Greig will preside, and burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM, with a rosary recited at 1:30 PM.