Published: June 29, 2009 12:38 pm      

James “Frank” Lestage

James Franklin “Frank” Lestage, 76, of West Orange, died Sunday, June 28, 2009.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Church in Orange, with Reverend Joseph P. Daleo, pastor, serving as celebrant.

Burial will follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Orange.

Visitation will be 6:00 -9:00 p.m. Tuesday and 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Wednesday at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Born in St. Maurice, Louisiana on October 29, 1932, Mr. Lestage was the son of Nora (Gongre) and Joseph Gilmer Lestage, Sr. and was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.

He was a mechanic and had worked for over 21 years for Troy Dodson Contruction in Beaumont; was a member of the Operating Engineers Union and St. Mary Catholic Church.

Mr. Lestage was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Joseph Gilmer Lestage, Jr. and sisters, Opal Knight and Eula Moore.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lois Lestage; sons, James Lestage, Jr. and his wife, Pamela, Anthony Lestage, Jimmy Lestage, and his wife, Michele; daughters, Jo Ann Stansbury and her husband, Michael and Debbie Moody and her husband, Russell.

Also surviving are his brothers, Weymon Lestage and his wife, Beatrice, Nathan Lestage and his wife, Lynette; 23 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jeff Moody, Patrick Moody, Lance Tucker, Russell Moody, Jr., Austin Lestage, Andrew Lestage, Jimmy Lestage, Jr. and Harper Gillis.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Devon Lestage, Brandon Moody, Charles Moody, Anthony Lestage, Jr., Aaron Lestage, Kenneth Wiggins, Jr., Weymon Lestage and Nathan Lestage.