James “Jim” Louis Rougeau
James Rougeau, passing on August 26th, 2023.
After a hard fought battle, including multiple surgeries and subsequent infections, LTC James Louis Rougeau (Retired) had no reserves left and surrendered peacefully as he made his last PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to be with his Lord and Savior at the age of 87.
He was born on December 1st, 1935 to Leslie Elmore Rougeau and Mary Opal Francis at LuLa Lyddy’s home in Ft. Jessup community. He spent his early years – till age 6, in Many; then went with the family out to Ft. Jessup to have space to raise chickens, and ducks-for decoys (as it was legal back then!). He attended St. John’s Catholic School and Church where he served as an Alter Boy. He participated in sports and was selected to supervise the Many City Pool when it first opened, even teaching a few folks how to swim. He learned how to hunt and fish, which became favorite pastimes. He later graduated from Many High School, and Northwestern State University.
Entering the U.S. Army in 1958, he served until 1980 in several military actions and as both an Infantry Officer and a Quartermaster. He attended Jungle Warfare School, Airborne Training, and Pathfinder School in addition to completing the Basic and Advanced Officer Course, and the Command & General Staff College at Ft Leavenworth, KS. In 1972, he was given time by the Army to attain a Master’s Degree and chose Mc-Neese State University in Lake Charles, LA. It was there he reconnected with Mr. Glenn Herbert of Sweet Lake. Through this, he taught his son the values of “hunt’n & fish’n.” An open invitation was extended, and he so much looked forward to his time at the Duck Camp. Not only did he hunt, but participated in trapping nutria, and “gator.” He remained in contact with Mr. Glenn throughout time as he valued his friendship. He continued his fishing exploits at his next assignment joining B.A.S.S. He fished several tournaments; even fishing with Ray Scott himself. While at Ft. Polk, 1978-1980, he took up membership in M.B.A.A. (Military Bass Angler’s Assoc.).
He had assignments in the Panama Canal Zone and with U.S. Army Natick Laboratories at Wright–Patterson Air Force Base, OH, where he worked with the Air Force on the development of LAPES (Low Altitude Parachute Extraction System). He was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam where he served with the Military Assistance Command-Vietnam SOG and with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne). Later he served with the 46th Special Forces Company in Thailand and with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Ft Bragg, N.C., the 8th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Panama, and U.S Army Combat Development Command at Ft. Benning, Georgia. He was assigned as Chief, Instruction Division for one year and then became the Director (Head Rigger) of the Airborne Department at the Quartermaster School, Ft Lee, VA. His many awards included a Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with a “V” device, the Air Medal, The Combat Infantrymen’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Rigger Badge, and the Royal Thai Army Master Parachutist Badge with Fourragere. After serving 22 years in the military, more specifically two tours in South East Asia, he observed and reported on his conclusion, “There are no atheists in a foxhole.”
After the Army, he returned to Calcasieu Parish where he began over 20 years of public service in education. He was a teacher, a coach and principal. After his time in Calcasieu Parish, he became the principal of Many High School- where he served for seven years. During this time, he completed his Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.). He then moved to West Feliciana Parish, also as principal; and later to Logansport High School in DeSoto Parish, where he retired from his Educational endeavors in December of 2000.
The day after duck season, January 2001, “Jim” and Jane moved to Branson, Missouri where he enjoyed playing golf almost every day, went to the shows, and was a member of the GOGH (Grand Ole Gospel Hour). Besides occasionally substitute teaching, he was an avid supporter of the POW Network, championed by Chairman Mary Schantag. After his Branson retirement years, he returned to Shreveport in 2014 to make his final retirement home. Even after moving to Louisiana, he was honored by the College of the Ozarks by receiving an invitation, along with a few other Veterans, to take a Return to Vietnam Tour in 2017. He was surprised at how much had changed and how much, that had been familiar, was unrecognizable.
He was predeceased by his father, Leslie Elmore Rougeau in 1973, and mother, Mary Opal Francis Rougeau in 1986. His only sibling, a brother, Charles “Cookie” Rougeau passed in 2017.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Jane Quillen Rougeau of Shreveport; his son Gregory J. Rougeau (who also was his faithful duck hunting and fishing partner), and daughter- in- law, Tracie. He also has one Nephew, Charles L. Rougeau, and a passel of cousins.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Warren-Meadows Funeral Home of Many, Louisiana. Visitation in Many will be from 5:00p.m. to 7:30p.m. on Wednesday, August 30, 2023 at Warren Meadows Funeral Home. On Thursday, there will be a second visitation in Shreveport, Louisiana at Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church on Flournoy Lucas from 10:00 to 10:45a.m.; Mass will follow at 11:00a.m. Taps (burial) will be at Forest Park Cemetery on St Vincent in Shreveport at 2:00p.m.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Sam Hutchenson of Fayetteville, Arkansas; Dean McCollister of Bossier City, Louisiana; John Hoagland of Many, Lousiana; Randy Newman of Germantown, Tennessee; Glenn Hebert and Kipp Hebert of Sweetlake, Louisiana. Eulogy by Jim Quayhagen.
