Leon J. Minvielle Jr.

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, December 20, 2017

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 21, 2017, at Nativity of Our Lady Catholic Church in New Iberia for Leon J. “Bubby” Minvielle Jr., 100, who passed away on Tuesday, December 21, 2017, in New Iberia. Entombment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Fr. Ed Degeyter, will be the celebrant of the funeral mass. Mr. Minvielle was a parishioner of St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Son, Steven Minvielle and granddaughter Katie Collins Aguilar will proclaim the readings. Gift bearers include Serena Strong, Mathile and Emmeline D’Albor.

A gathering of family and friends will be Wednesday, December 20, 2017, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. A Rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday from 8 a.m. until10 a.m.

Mr. Minvielle was born in New Iberia on July 4, 1917, to Leon J. Minvielle Sr. and Georgina “Georgie” Harry Minvielle. Mr. Minvielle met his wife, Irene Voorhies, in 1942, and they were married later that same year. His fondest memories are with his wife of 58 years of marriage and his children. He owned Minvielle’s Furniture and worked for People’s National Bank where he retired as the bank’s president. His hobbies in his life were spending time with his family and friends, traveling, fishing, hunting, dancing and cooking.

He was a 1935 graduate of St. Peter’s College (now known as Catholic High School) in New Iberia, and then attended and graduated from SLI, now known as UL of Lafayette, graduating with a B.A. Degree. He was a graduate of the School of Banking of the South-LSU. He became a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon in November 1935. Mr. Minvielle entered the military August 15, 1941, and served five years as First Lieutenant in the Army in the 7th Armored Division serving with General Patton at The Battle of the Bulge at St. Vith, Belgium. Mr. Minvielle fondly quoted General Patton, “with your blood and my guts we could win this damn war.” Mr. Minvielle was decorated with four major campaign battle stars, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was promoted to captain in the Reserves. Mr. Minvielle was a charter member of the New Iberia Junior Chamber of Commerce and served as secretary and vice-president. He became a member of the New Iberia Kiwanis Club in November 1945 and served in the capacities of Secretary-Treasurer, 2nd Vice-President, 1stVice-President and as President in 1954. In 1962, he served as Lt. Governor of Division 7 of the La.-Miss.-West Tenn. District of Kiwanis International. In 1947, Mr. Minvielle served as Cub Master of the Methodist Church Cub Scout Troop. He served as chairman of the Southwestern Clearing House Association of the Louisiana Bankers Association. He was a charter member of the Southwestern Louisiana Chapter of the National Association of the Bank Audit Control and Operations. Serving consecutively on the Board of Directors, Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President and as President in 1962-1963. Mr. Minvielle served on the Board of Directors of the Louisiana Bankers Association 1962-1965. Mr Minvielle served as President of the Alumni Association of Southwestern Louisiana Institute in 1960. It was during his term in office that the members were successful in having the name changed to University of Southwestern Louisiana (USL). He also served on the University Athletic Council 1963-1968. Mr. Minvielle served on the Iberia Parish School Board from 1950-1960. He was appointed to the State School Board Association in 1957. Mr. Minvielle was King of the Mystic Krewe of Iberians in 1963. In 1963, he served as Drive Chairman of the Iberia Parish T.B. Association. In 1970, he served as President of the Iberia Parish United Fund Association. In 1980, Mr. Minvielle was selected to serve as Grand Marshal of the Queen’s Parade of the Louisiana Sugarcane Fair and Festival Association. Mr. Minvielle served as president of the Seventh Armored Division Association 1984-1985. In 1991, he served as president of the Ancient Order of Creole Gourmets. He was a member of the SAE Social Fraternity, Blue, Key, Knights of Columbus, V.F.W. and became a life member with the American Legion. Mr. Minvielle retired as president of the People’s National Bank in February 1981.

Survivors include his four children Leon J. Minvielle III and wife, Anne Broussard Minvielle, of New Iberia, Amy Minvielle Collins and husband, James Collins Sr., of Lexington, Kentucky, L. Steven Minvielle and wife, Melissa “Millie” Guyote Minvielle, of Morgan City and Mary Minvielle Pesson and husband, Mike Pesson, of New Iberia.

Also surviving are ten grandchildren Leon J. “Joey” Minvielle IV and wife, Ashley Galloway Minvielle, of Youngsville, Jennifer Minvielle D’Albor and husband, J. P. D’Albor, of Youngsville, Michael Minvielle and wife, Jamie O’Gwynn Minvielle, of Youngsville, Amy Collins Baillio and husband, Duane Baillio, of Lexington, Kentucky, James “Jimmy” Collins and wife, Elana Zirkel Collins, of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Kathleen Collins Aguilar and husband, Walter Aguilar, of Katy, Texas, Gregory Collins and wife, Jana de Sa Barros Collins, of San Diego, California, Laura Minvielle Orlando and husband, Jason Orlando, of Houston, Texas, Caroline Minvielle Strong and Melissa Jo Pesson Ayme and husband, Andrew Ayme, of Nashville, Tennessee; and 13 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Minvielle was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Voorhies Minvielle; and two sisters Mildred Minvielle Duhe’ and Elizabeth “Susie” Minvielle Resweber.

Pallbearers will be grandsons Leon J. “Joey” Minvielle IV, James “Jimmy” Collins, Gregory Collins, great-grandson Bradley Steven Orlando, Walter Aguilar and J.P. D’Albor.

Honorary pallbearer is his nephew Dr. Donald “Doc” Voorhies.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the staff of Azalea Estate Assisting Living, as well as offering their appreciation for the loving care and attention given by Eva Rollins, Carla Lewis and Carolyn Francis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Mr. Minvielle’s name to the Sisters of Mt. Carmel, Retirement Fund, P. O. Box 1160, Lacombe, LA 70445 and Catholic High School, 1301 De La Salle, New Iberia, La 70560.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, 365-3331, is in charge of the arrangements.