Leo Ralph Dartez, Sr.

New Orleans--Leo Ralph Dartez, Sr., Ralph, born to Marie LeBlanc Dartez and Joseph Avery Dartez on July 5, 1924, passed away peacefully on

Ralph was born in Maurice, Louisiana and graduated from Abbeville High School.  He served his country during World War II in the European Theater.  When he returned home,  he attended Louisiana State University on the GI Bill, graduating in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Ralph was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and was an avid fan of the LSU Tigers for his entire life.  Among his children and grandchildren, eight attended LSU for graduate or post-graduate degrees.  An endowed scholarship fund at LSU was established in Ralph and Jackie’s name, which, as Ralph specified, is awarded annually to a civil engineering undergraduate with financial need.

After starting his career with the Corps of Engineers in New Orleans, he joined Freeport Sulphur Company (later known as Freeport-McMoRan) in 1953.  He spent 39 years with Freeport Sulphur, where he acted as General Manager Supply & Distribution for 14 years until his retirement in 1992.  Ralph was a self-taught naval architect and was recognized for his abilities in that field.  He was responsible for the design, fabrication and operation of several large ocean-going sulfur tankers.  He traveled the world seeking opportunities to help expand the business. Ralph had many friends at Freeport Sulphur with whom he maintained contact throughout his life.

Ralph was a devout Catholic and was very active in supporting the Church.  He was a humble, compassionate man and treated everyone with dignity and respect.

Ralph was physically and mentally active until his passing.  He enjoyed traveling with his family, maintaining his vegetable garden and reading history.  An avid golfer, he earned the distinction of making five “hole-in-one” shots, three of which came in the last 15 years.

He was a source of inspiration to his four children and eleven grandchildren, all of whom received college degrees with eight receiving post-graduate degrees. He was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by family, friends, and colleagues.

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend the wake at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Boulevard, New Orleans, LA, on Fr i day, December 22, 2017, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. A Mass of Christian burial at Saint John the Evangelist Church, 1510 Church Street, Jeanerette, LA, on Saturday, D e cember 23, 2017, at 11:00 am. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 am at David Funeral Home, 400 Provost Street, Jeanerette, LA, preceding the Mass i n terment will be at Beau Pre Cemetery 7605 E. Old Spanish Trail Jeanerette, LA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Discalced Carmelite Sisters at 1250 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501 or the De La Salle Christian Brothers at 1522 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501.

Lake Lawn Funeral Home of Metairie handled funeral arrangements.

To view and sign the family guest book please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com

David Funeral Home of Jeanerette 400 Provost St. Jeanerette is handling the local arrangements.