Norman Sephren Jinks Jr. passed away peacefully in his hometown of Lake Charles, La. in the presence of his children and caretakers. Born on April 26, 1936, in DeQuincy, La. to the late Mary Jane Jinks and Norman Sephren Jinks Sr.

Norman was an impactful member of the Lake Charles community where he lived his entire life. He graduated from Lagrange High School where he put his love of sports into action on both the football and track fields. It was here that he met his high school sweetheart, Karen Speer, and as they say, the rest is history. Norman married his beloved wife Karen, and together, they raised four children: Keith (Donna) Jinks, Shawn (Kenneth) Parks, Kristi (Ray) Fontenot, and Nicole (Scott) Duplechin.

As their family grew, Norman’s Masonry Business followed suit. As a third generation mason, Norman would go on to own his own bricklaying business that he would later pass on to his son and grandsons which they still own and operate to this day.

He was a devoted husband and father and his family was the cornerstone of his life. He is remembered by his children as a loving, warm, and supportive parent above all else with strong Christian roots. The ritual sound of his stomping the dirt off his boots before entering their home was eagerly anticipated every single day. An avid reader of western novels, Norman enjoyed the simple things in life and never took his many blessings for granted. Asking the blessing before holiday meals never failed to make him cry. With unabashed passion, he regularly voiced his gratitude to God for each and every one of his precious children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would insist on rocking his granddaughters in his lap every time he had the chance, regardless of if they were three years old or 30, and his grandsons always knew they were welcome anywhere he was, be it at work or in his home.

Norman Sephren Jinks Jr. will be remembered as a supremely devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and friend. His warmth and unconditional love will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Jane and Norman Jinks Sr., his loving wife of 62 years Karen, and sister, Jane Ann Williams.

He leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories with his children; his sisters, Lillian Pauline Phillips, Norma Lee Brown; brother-in-law, John Speer; his 10 grandchildren: Eric Jinks (Amanda), Erin Dronet (Snapper), Talor Jinks (Kaylee), Josh Parks (Catherine), Sarah Champagne (Jett), Dustin Fontenot (Lindsey), Laci Fontenot (Daniel), Courtney King, Donavan Domingue, and Alex Smith (Ryan) and 24 great grandchildren.

We would like to thank the Verandah Staff and St. Joseph’s Hospice for their loving care and support.

Public visitation will be held at Johnson’s Funeral Home Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, 3-5 p.m. Services to celebrate Norman’s life will be held on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, at South City Christian Church at 323 W. Sale Rd at 10 a.m.  Following the funeral service the family has entrusted cremation arrangements to Johnson Funeral Home.