Patients and their families at Ochsner American Legion Hospital will soon be able to find peace in a new garden being created in memory of long-time hospital board member and World War II veteran Allen Medus Jr.

On Thursday, three of Medus’ surviving four children, Kathryn Sullivan, Julie Lejeune and Paul Medus, presented a $150,000 gift to the Jennings American Legion Hospital Foundation to help build the Allen James Medus Jr. Memorial Garden.

The presentation was made during the Laugh for Life comedy dinner and auction, which is held annually to help the foundation raise funds for hospital projects. This year’s event helped raise $258,000.

Foundation Director Mindy Hetzel said the garden will give patients, families and staff a peaceful place to sit and reflect.

“We have seen many of our patients and their families make life changing decisions on the back of the bed of their pickup truck,” Hetzel said. “This will give them a place they can go to think and just take a deep breath and relax.”

The garden, which will be built in front of the hospital as part of a new expansion project, will feature a flower garden, benches and water foundation.

It will honor Medus’ friendship and legacy, she said.

“When I started the hospital he was such a jewel,” Hetzel said. “He would always stop and visit with everyone, he was such a gentleman.”

Medus, a certified public accountant, was instrumental in many local endeavors including the growth of Jeff Davis Bank, evolution of Jennings American Legion Hospital and construction of the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home. He served on the hospital board for over 60 years.

“He left an incredible mark on our community,” Hetzel said. “This project will be a remarkable achievement of that legacy.”

Kathryn Sullivan said the garden is a fitting tribute to her father because he loved growing roses. It is also a way to give back to a community he loved.

“When my mother (Elonide) and father first came to Jennings they were new here, but they were welcomed by the community,” Sullivan said.

Although Medus had a wife and six children to care for, Sullivan said he always gave back to the community, especially helping families at Christmas time.

“He wanted to take care of people who needed something,” she said.

She said the family feels blessed to be able to honor their late father and give back to the community.

“Dad really loved this community who embraced him and he always gave back to the community,” Sullivan said. “We are very proud of what he brought to this community.”

Medus died in 2020 at the age of 94.