Obituary

Jesse Noel Ludeau, a strong but gentle Cajun from Ville Platte, ended his 21-month battle with pancreatic cancer on December 15th at the age of 64. A quiet, determined man - some might say stubborn or hard-headed - Jesse’s strength helped him defy the odds after his diagnosis and he was a warrior until the very end. He was a hard-working contractor who loved creating beautiful homes for his community, family, and friends.

Above all, Jesse was a husband, dad, Pop, baby brother, and a loyal friend. He will forever be remembered by his wife Allyson; son Jay, his wife Nicole, and their children Cain, Madison and Emma; son Chris, his wife Erin, and their children Christopher, Jolie and Emery; stepdaughter Alyce; older siblings Peggy and her husband Preston, Lawrence and his wife Mae, Nancy, Kelly, and Barbara. A Christmas Eve baby, Jesse is now welcomed home by his big sister Patty Sue and his Mama and Daddy, Rosemary and JL.

Jesse’s happy place was his beloved family camp, built with his own hands in 2009. Jesse was an avid duck hunter and each season he would meticulously prepare the lake and rice field for opening day, excited about the time he would spend with family and friends. From flooding the fields to brushing the blinds to setting out decoys, Jesse did it all with love.

It was Jesse who insisted on keeping Ludeau family traditions alive, such as Good Friday and July 4th gatherings, which always promised fierce washer board games and good food.

Jesse was quiet but always ready to celebrate anything with an Old Fashioned. He was happy visiting with friends, cooking (but stay out of his kitchen!), playing dominoes, enjoying music by the fire, and quoting bad television shows and movies (“Seinfeld,” “The Burbs,” “Joe Dirt,” “Gladiator”).

Jesse loved building a beautiful life with Allyson, both literally and figuratively. Throughout their time together, he designed and built two houses, an outdoor gathering place, and food plots for the backyard birds. But more importantly, he built a relationship of love and respect.

A celebration of Jesse’s life will be held on Tuesday, December 19, from 1-3 p.m., at his home in Lakeland.

In the famous words of one of Jesse’s favorites, Joe Dirt, “Life’s a garden, dig it”.