Julien "Coach" Vienne

Julien Vienne, proudly known by family and friends as “Coach,” passed away on January 2, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Visitation will be held Monday, January 4, 2016 at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, Louisiana from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A recitation of the Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 2:00 pm with Rev. Dan O’Connor serving as celebrant. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery. Julien was born in Natchitoches on January 23, 1940 to Clifton Vienne and Doris Fletcher Vienne. He moved to Oakdale for a short period of time and then to Alexandria where he attended Prompt Succor Catholic School and Menard Catholic High School. While at Menard, he was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball. Julien particularly excelled in baseball. Numerous articles were written in the Alexandria Town Talk about his accomplishments at the plate. In his junior year at Menard, Julien had a 0.527 batting average and didn’t strike out once in fifteen games. Julien earned a master’s degree + 30 hours in Education from Northwestern State University. He continued playing baseball while at NSU where he was the starting third baseman for the Demons. After receiving his bachelor’s degree from NSU, Julien served in the United States Army in Germany and Korea from 1962 until 1965. Julien taught and coached in Grant and Natchitoches Parishes. Throughout his career, he worked at Montgomery High School, Campti High School, Natchitoches Central High School, and Natchitoches Junior High School. While at Campti High School, he brought the basketball girls team to the 1977 state championship semi-finals. Julien worked at Natchitoches Junior High School for 30 years. While there he coached football, basketball, track, and served as scouting assistant for the Natchitoches Central High School football team. During the summers, Julien worked for the Natchitoches Recreation Department where he directed the adult softball leagues at Highland Park. He was a long-time member of The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Diane DeBlieux Vienne; his daughter Cecelia Vienne Lummus and husband Brent Matthew Lummus; his son William Fletcher Vienne and wife Lauren Boone Vienne; three grandchildren, Juliana Marie Lummus, Brennan Matthew Lummus, and Cora Leigh Vienne; his sister, Charlotte Vienne and husband Kevin Meddows; and his first cousins Charles Vienne and Francis Vienne and families. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Chris Vienne, David Vienne, Mark Vienne, Matt Vienne, Mike Vienne, Charlie Vienne Jr., Scott Vienne, Cliff Royston, Greg Weaver, and Colt James. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Julien Vienne Baseball Endowed Scholarship at Northwestern State University. Checks can be made payable to the Demons Unlimited Foundation at 468 Caspari Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana, 71497 or by visiting www.nsudemons.com/viennescholarship