Thomas Pollet, Iii

Thomas Pollet III, born June 19, 1929, to Thomas and Fay Nelson Pollet in Baton Rouge, LA, grew up in an around Norco, LA. The family moved to Maplewood, and Tommy attended Sulphur High School, participating in multiple sports; however, his first love and passion was baseball, and it was in this that he truly excelled.

After graduating in 1946, he enlisted in the United States Navy on his seventeenth birthday so that he could see the world. Tommy served throughout the South Pacific, Asia, North Africa, as well as Frankfurt, Germany, where he took part in his proudest experience, the Berlin Airlift.

In 1950, Tommy began playing baseball and basketball for Southwestern Louisiana Institute (present day ULL), where he lettered in both sports. It was there that he met the love of his life, and future wife of fifty-nine years, Mary Gladys Mouton (aka Coonie). The couple married on December 31, 1953, and Mary knew right away what her married life would be like when they went to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on their honeymoon.

Tommy followed his passion for baseball all over the world, playing for the All-Army team as a sailor, and then all over the country, from Texas, to New Mexico, and Florida. The couple eventually settled down with their two children, Louise Marie and Ann Elaine in the Lake Area; however, Tommy never quit baseball, playing recreational basketball and softball as well as coaching throughout his life. He coached various baseball teams, ranging in ages from Colt and Pony Leagues for the Sulphur recreation program, to American Legion in both Lake Charles and Sulphur, always treating his players as if they were his own sons. He, along with Zeb Johnson and others, also established the Lake Charles Umpires Association.

In addition to baseball, Tommy loved spending his time on the water, playing golf, and travelling with his wife, daughters, and grandchildren, Sarah Allen Rogowski and husband, Stephen, Emilie Allen, and Ella Swett-Pollet. After retirement, he finally reached his goal of travelling through all fifty states, also visiting Canada, Mexico, Cuba, and an additional trip to Germany with his son-in-law, Danny Allen.

Tommy died on May 11, 2013. He was a devoted husband and father and will be missed very, very much.

His funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Father Aubrey Guilbeau will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM with a rosary at 6:30 PM. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 9:00 AM until the start of the service.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.