Jerry Micelle, Sr.

Jerry Anthony Micelle, Sr. (79) of Lake Charles, Louisiana died March 30, 2022 in a Lake Charles hospital. Born October 8, 1942 to John and Angelina (Truglio) Micelle, he was a 1960 graduate of Landry High School (St. Louis). Jerry received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1964 and a master’s in history from Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge in 1967. A life-long scholar and learner, he returned to LSU in the 80’s to complete his PhD in history, earning his doctorate of philosophy in 1995.

Jerry taught history at Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, West Virginia from 1969 to 1971. He returned to Lake Charles the following year as an executive in Micelle’s Meat Packing Plant. However, the pull of academics was strong, and he resumed teaching as a visiting lecturer at McNeese State University in 1984 and then as a history instructor for many years.

His specialty was French Colonial Louisiana, and his dissertation is “The King and His People in the Discourse of the Ancien Capitane.” In 1968, he published “From Law Court to Local Government: Metamorphosis of the Superior Council of French Louisiana,” an article that was frequently cited and later included in Readings in Louisiana Politics published in 1975, and again in The Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial Series in Louisiana History/Vol. 1/The French Experience in Louisiana published in 1995.

While many who attended McNeese remember Dr. Micelle as their history instructor, he also taught French and Spanish at local high schools, multiple courses as a professor at Cornerstone University in Lake Charles, and finally as a teacher for the Calcasieu Career Center. While never officially retiring, he worked as a substitute teacher as recently as 2020.

Jerry was president of the Lake Charles Area Chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship for many years. He was also active with other ministries, such as Friend Ships, and was involved in various prayer meetings in Southwest Louisiana. Because of Jerry’s background in history, he would appear on the KELB broadcast “Church and State.” Jerry loved the Lord Jesus Christ and loved his country!

Prior to his life in academics, he enjoyed duck hunting and waterskiing. Once he received his first degree, he was rarely seen without a book…there he is, book in hand in the stands of a rodeo, watching his daughter Regina barrel racing…and there he is again sitting in a 14 foot Jon boat on the English Bayou reading about Charlemagne while his son Jerry Jr. fishes…and there he is again…the foreground filled with grandchildren unwrapping presents and in the background Jerry sits in a recliner holding a book written by his good friend Sidney Fontenot. He also loved to travel both domestically and abroad, especially to historical sites.

And while he did love to read, there is no doubt that he was a devoted family man and caretaker. In particular, he took loving care of his Uncle Luke, his brother Johnny, and his wife Shirley when they were no longer able to care for themselves.

He leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, Regina Dawn Marshall and wife Coleen Haworth; son, Jerry Micelle, Jr. and wife Brenda Tate; grandson, James Marshall; granddaughter, Ashley Marshall; sister, Mary Jane Smith and husband Jack; sister-in-law, Sherry Micelle; stepson, David Dumesnil; three stepdaughters, Renee Dumesnil LeBleu and husband Dwight, LeeAnn Dumesnil Neumann and husband Dave, Shirline Dumesnil Brydels; eleven step-grandchildren, nine step-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Carolyn Poe Micelle; his second wife, Shirley Ann (Rodrigue) Micelle; a sister, Rose Anna Louviere; and brothers, Victor R. Micelle, John Paul Micelle, Morris Micelle, and Frank J. Micelle; stepdaughter Linda Dumesnil West; and step-grandson, Aaron Chapman.

A Christian service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 15, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home. Pastor Gary Evers and a host of others will officiate. Interment will follow Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday, April 14, 2022 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM and continue on Friday from 8:30 AM until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Friend Ships in memory of Mr. Micelle at www.friendships.org or to the charity of one’s choice.