John Blake Postell

John Blake Postell, 82, passed away on Sunday, August 25, 2024 in Lake Charles, LA. Born on January 2, 1942 in New Orleans, he was the middle child of five born to William Dosite and May Belle Andries Postell. 

John Blake attended Our Lady of Lourdes and then graduated from Jesuit High School and Tulane University. He moved to Lake Charles in 1964 and entered the insurance business as an agent and then manager at Mid-South Insurance Agency, later affiliated with McElveen Insurance, retiring after 40 years.

He served on the Boards of the Calcasieu Parish Library, Southwest Louisiana Chamber of Commerce, Christus/St. Patrick Hospital, St. Louis High School Foundation, St. Charles Retreat Center, the Louisiana Council of Tulane University and the Independent Insurance Agents of Louisiana. He served as president of the St. Patrick Hospital Board of Councilors, Immaculate Conception School Board and PTO, Lake Charles Chapter of the Tulane Alumni Association, the Pioneer Club and the Calcasieu Insurance Exchange. Other honors include “Insurance Man of the Year” in 1973 and King of Mystique in 2002.

John Blake loved his family, Tulane athletics, his Lake Charles Mardi Gras krewe, and making people laugh. He was the self-appointed stand-up-comic in every room he entered. J.B. was a proud girl dad to Stacey, Allison, and Jennifer, attending more dance recitals, Nutcracker performances, piano recitals and cheer events than he could count. He was the Green Wave’s greatest supporter and long-suffering fan, enduring many years of pain and strife, but never losing hope and enthusiasm for his beloved Greenies! As payback for his support Tulane offered John Blake two notable gifts: a “Perfect Season” in 1998, and an exhilarating, come from behind victory in the 2023 Cotton Bowl with J.B. and 13 members of his family in attendance on his 81st birthday. As a long-time member and leader in the Krewe of Contraband, J.B. was known for scepter practice, making the “New Boys” dance, and his infamous annual Ladder Speech. He was honored as King Charles at the krewe’s 50th Anniversary Ball in 2013.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years, Janet Mahaffey Postell and daughters, Stacey (Kevin) Payne of New Orleans, Allison (Jeff) Johnston of Houston, and Jennifer (Claude) Watkins of Lake Charles. He was “Grandad” to his eight beloved grandchildren: Caroline, Scott, and Ashley Payne, Charlie, Henry, and Mary Margaret Johnston, and Blake and Patrick Watkins. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Blanche Postell Davis, brothers Rev. Philip S. Postell, S.J. and David (Annette) Postell, his sister in law, Nancy Postell, and many nieces and nephews. John Blake was preceded in death by his parents, brother William Dosite Postell, Jr. and brother-in-law Joe Davis.

Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, LA. on Friday, August 30th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. with brief remembrances and remarks at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM and continue until leaving in procession to the church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Saturday, August 31, 2024 in The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 935 Bilbo St., Lake Charles, LA. Father Philip Postell and Msgr. Harry Greig will serve as Concelebrants. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, 1536 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA 70601, Jesuit High School, 4133 Bank St, New Orleans, LA 70119, or Tulane University Green Wave Club, greenwaveclub.com.