With grateful hearts because of a life beautifully lived, the family of Theodore “Ted” Chalker Chenet announces their father’s passing in the early morning hours of May 29, 2024, at the age of 93. He died while in the loving and honorable care of the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Jennings, La. and of Lamm Family Hospice.

Ted was born in New Orleans, La. on Sept. 14, 1930, to the devoted parents of Doris Beatrice Chalker and Theophile “Ted” Thibodaux Chenet, and has two sisters Doris Heimbach (Lake Charles) and Patricia Mock (Beverly Hills, CA). Ted eventually moved to Thibodaux, LA where he loved growing up, but he spent most of his life in Lake Charles, graduating from Lake Charles High School in 1947 and McNeese State College in 1951 with a degree in biochemistry. While Ted was studying in college, the Korean War was being fought. Soon after obtaining his college degree, Ted was drafted to serve in the army for two years to help in the war effort. Once the Korean War ended, Ted returned to Lake Charles, where he met Freddie Rae Dupuis from Opelousas, LA on a blind date in 1956 and wooed her with his incredible dancing and advanced Bridge play. Four months later, they were married at the Immaculate Conception Church.

Anyone who knew Ted will always remember his keen competitive spirit in any game he played including, but not limited to, Skip Bo, Scrabble, Mexican Train, pool, ping pong, and volleyball. He was a dedicated and fierce athlete in the Senior Olympics, and he adored walking the shores of Pensacola Beach collecting and categorizing shells, taking care of his lawn and tending his garden, watching his animal shows on Animal Planet along with football and golf, and completing the daily crossword puzzle in the Lake Charles American Press. After his retirement, Ted could be seen fishing at his camp on the west fork of the Calcasieu River. If he was lucky with his fishing, he would take his daily catch, clean it, fry it, and eat it for lunch. If Ted wasn’t fishing, he could be found at the senior citizen center trying to win a game of billiards. Ted’s notorious laugh will linger on earth, and no one will ever forget his delicious barbecue, gumbo, and crawfish etouffee’.

As much as he loved his annual family Florida vacation and having dinner with friends, he had the same love for St. Margaret Catholic Church. As a parishioner of St. Margaret’s for nearly 70 years, he served as a lector, Eucharist minister, and on several committees. Ted was a proud union man and worked as a chemical analyst at Conoco Refinery for 35 years.

Left to honor his legacy and embrace his memory are his wife Freddie Chenet, and his children Tad Chenet (Rhonda), John Chenet (Carol), Susan Chenet, and Mary Carol Chenet. Seven wonderful grandchildren, who cherished their grandpa, are Sally Ostrow (Mike), Kelsey Richardson (Courtney), Theo Chenet (Kacy), Zack Chenet (Brittani), Peyton and Edie Owen, and Danielle Chenet. Ted was also blessed to have four great grandchildren Mikah, Everett, Olivia, and Jonah.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 3, 2024 in St. Margaret Catholic Church on Enterprise Boulevard. Msgr. Jace Eskind will serve as Celebrant. Inurnment of ashes will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the church from 10 a.m. until the start of the funeral mass at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please give to a favorite charity or, better yet, enjoy a board or card game with loved ones in Ted’s honor.

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