Dr. Samuel Anthony Monticello, 87, passed away in Lake Charles, La. on Monday, March 4, 2024. A lifelong resident of Lake Charles, he was born on June 10, 1936, one of three children of Anthony and Stella DiCarlo Monticello.

Dr. Monticello graduated from Landry Memorial High School in 1954. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Biology-Chemistry/Education from Lamar University in 1959, followed by a Master of Science in Animal Nutrition from LSU in 1960. In 1964, he achieved his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. Until his passing, he remained an avid fan of LSU and Texas A&M football.

Dr. Monticello entered private veterinary practice, founding Monticello Large Animal Clinic in 1965, where he dedicated himself to large animal (primarily equine) care and surgery until his retirement in 2000. In 1966, he began teaching part-time at McNeese State University, eventually becoming a full-time Associate Professor of Animal Science and earning Professor Emeritus status in 2019. He was an advisor to and sponsor of student pre-vet organizations at McNeese, was an active member of several professional organizations, and was a contributor to numerous studies and publications. He held two U.S. patents, one for the use of a water curable fiberglass resin for the repair of equine hoof defects, and one for a new generation of spoon fishing lures. Throughout his career, his students and many of his clients called him “Dr. Sam.” Dr. Sam enjoyed helping the McNeese College of Agriculture whenever and however he could.

Devoted to his family, faith, and community, Dr. Monticello served Our Lady Queen of Heaven Parish in the PREP Program. He cherished his role as a husband, father, and grandfather, finding joy in spending time with his family, with whom he was both a loving patriarch and a renowned practical joker. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, “piddling” in his shop and with his boat,  yard work, exercising, and having a weekly “Old Man’s breakfast” with his friends at Big Daddy’s restaurant. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Leah Lisman Monticello, whom he met at Lamar University; his daughter, Dr. Lisa Snider (Dr. Van); his sons, Chris Monticello (Stacey) and Sean Monticello (Lisa); four grandchildren, Lauren Snider, Melissa Snider Smith (Cameron), Nicolas Monticello, and Alexander Monticello, and his sister, Veronica Kemerly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Stella Monticello, and his sister, Claire Smith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 9, 2024 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Rev. Samuel Bond will serve as Celebrant. Pallbearers will be Chris Monticello, Sean Monticello, Dr. Van Snider, Nicolas Monticello, Alexander Monticello, Randy Partin, Cameron Smith, and Darren Goodwin.  Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Ballard, Len Benckenstein, Uland Guidry, Robert Labby, Dr. Frederick “Chip” Lemieux, Don Matheson, Buzzy Nagem, and John Smith. In respect of the family’s wishes, a private burial will be held at Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the McNeese Foundation, Dr. Sam Monticello Scholarship in Agriculture.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneral home.net.