James LaRoue

Born September 16, 1923 in Zwolle, Louisiana, James LaRoue, better known as Coach LaRoue, passed away in Glenwood Regional Medical Center, West Monroe, Louisiana at 4:45 p.m. Thursday, May 10, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents, Annie Sepulvado Laroux and Edward LaRoux, three brothers, Henry, Willie, and Hobert, five sisters, Angeline, Mabel, Corrine, Roselyn, and Ivy, one son, James Bertis LaRoue, and step-son Marcus Blackmon. Mr. LaRoue is survived by his wife, Florence A. LaRoue of West Monroe, his daughter, Judith LaRoue; grandchildren, Sean Smith, wife Tricia (Logan and Lilli Kate), Jennifer Johnson, husband Brian (Olivia), Melanie Smith (Zachary), and Susanna Deshotel, husband Mark (Brennan and Dominic); two sisters, Josephine Maddox and Joyce Lacis; two step-sons and their wives, Larry and Stephanie Blackmon and Dennis and Alita Blackmon; and a host of nieces and nephews. Coach LaRoue was an educator for 32 years in Sabine and Natchitoches Parishes, and three years at St. Mary’s High School where he was inducted into the St. Mary’s Hall of Fame. During his career, he was Recreation Director for the City of Natchitoches. Following retirement, Coach LaRoue returned to St. Mary’s to serve as Athletic Director. In the Spring of 1994 the city honored him with “James LaRoue Day” and the little league baseball field at City Park was named “James LaRoue Field”. Mr. LaRoue graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1943. He served in the United States Army, 163rd Infantry, 41st Division. Following VJ Day, Mr. LaRoue served in the first occupational troops in Japan. He married Cleola Ammons in 1946 and they had two children, Judith and Bert. A graduate of Northwestern State University, he held a masters degree. He and his widow, “Miss Reenie” resided in Shreveport, Natchitoches, and West Monroe during their 18 year marriage. James LaRoue’s funeral service will be held at 10 am Saturday, May 12, 2012 at The First Baptist Church, Natchitoches with burial in Memory Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends an hour prior to service at the church. A gathering will be hosted by the family, in the Bostick Room at the church, following the services. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include: Sean Smith, Mark Deshotel, Brian Johnson, Edward LaRoux, Wilbert LaRoux and Doug LaRoux. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Sampite, Carl Henry III, and Francis Vienne. Memorials may be made to the Natchitoches Parish Special Olympics, Attention Special Education Department, Natchitoches Parish School Board, 310 Royal Street, Natchitoches, LA 71457.