John Bordelon

John H. Bordelon passed away on November 7, 2014 at Rapides Regional Medical Center. He was blessed with the presence of his wife, children and many grandchildren after a long battle with cardiomyopathy.

Funeral services will take place at St. Paul Catholic Church of Mansura on Monday, November 10, 2014 beginning at 12:00pm. Visitation will be held at the Escude Funeral Home of Mansura on Monday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Burial will commence at the St. Paul Catholic Cemetery.


He waspreceded in death by his first wife of 56 years, Betty Bordelon, his parents, Wilbur and Henrietta Bordelon, and all his siblings, Leola, Leo, Paul, Marie, Mable, Cecile, and Grace.

He is survived by his second wife, Cile Bordelon, his children, Lynn and his wife Christine, Robin and his wife Donna, Dale and his wife Kim, and Elizabeth and her fiance Russell Bourgeois.

He is also survived by his grandchildren Marti and Jonathan Bordelon, Dr. James Bordelon and his wife Hope, Bradley and Christie Bordelon, Rebecca and Joe Pollock, Claire and Chase Ducote, Rebecca Mullins, Scott and Joshua Descant, Sarah, Emily, and Kelly Bordelon, Edward, Dustin and Danielle Ducote, Brittany Bordelon, Hunter and Coty Bordelon and Kristin and Wallace Bud Carline. He is also survived by many great grandchildren.

John was born a few months after the flood of 1927 began to recede. He attended Our Lady of Victory Catholic School in Mansura as a child. He spoke only French until the age of 13. He enlisted in the Army for three years a day after his 18th birthday in 1945. He met his first wife Betty while stationed at Fort Ouachucha, New Mexico and they were married in Las Vegas in 1948. They moved to Mansura in 1949. He recalled many trips from out west to Mansura where he hitch hiked to be able to visit his parents back in Mansura.

John managed a cotton gin in Mansura at the age of 16, mainly because he was able to read and write. His father ran a gin and John was familiar with the operations. He worked in New Orleans with his sisters at their bar in Algiers during the Second World War. Upon returning back to Louisiana John had several jobs, which included working at the Train Depot in Mansura, opening the first boat landing at Old River in Mansura, and many other jobs. He was hired in 1958 to run the cotton gin in Mansura. He later went to work at Union Oil Mill in Bunkie running a grain elevator. In 1964, Union Oil sold the business to John and his brother Paul. They ran the business together and were very successful. John ran the Bunkie Grain Elevator with his two sons, Robin and Dale, until the time of his death.

John always remembered his childhood and the lessons taught to him by his Moma and Papa. He overcame many obstacles and misfortunes and became a very successful businessman as well as a kind and responsible husband and father. He took his children with him everywhere he went. He loved fishing, duck hunting and being at the camp with his family. He was very affectionate and had a tremendous amount of love and devotion to his family. His generosity was spread with everyone for this is what he was taught by his parents.

Visitation

Escude Funeral Home of Mansura
6608 Porterie St.
Mansura, LA  71350
Monday, November 10, 2014
10:00am to 12:00pm

Service

Church

St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church
1879 Leglise St,
Mansura, LA  71350
Monday, November 10, 2014
12:00pm

Cemetery

St. Paul Cemetery
Old River Rd.
Mansura, LA  71350