LAFAYETTE– A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Lafayette, La. for Patrick A. “Pat” Juneau Jr. age 87, who passed away peacefully on Dec. 31, 2024 with his family by his side. Visitation will be held at Delhomme Funeral Home (on Bertrand Drive) on Friday, Jan. 10 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Following the Mass, Pat will be laid to eternal rest at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery.

Monsignor Keith DeRouen, Pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels, will serve as Celebrant and conduct the funeral services. Father Cedric Sonnier, Pastor of St. Mary Catholic Church, will serve as Concelebrant.

Survivors include Pat’s wife of 65 years (his college sweetheart and soulmate), Truley Ann Juneau; their two sons, Dr. Patrick A. Juneau III and Thomas R. Juneau Sr. (Karen), and his daughter-in-law, Becky. He also leaves behind his beloved grandkids, James Juneau (Alexis), Ruth Mueller (Jordan), David Juneau (Laina), Drew Bute, Jonathan Juneau, Jacob Juneau, Therese Brown (Ryan), Truley Juneau, Thomas Juneau Jr., Mary Juneau, and his great-grandkids, Margot Juneau, Eleanor Juneau, Rowan Mueller, Addison Bute, Daniel Bute, Sam Bute, and Benjamin Bute.

Pat was proceeded in death by his parents, Sen. Patrick A. Juneau, Sr. (from Bordelonville, La.) and Louise Johnson Juneau (from Jackson, La.), and his remarkable son, Judge Michael J. Juneau (Becky).

Pat, or “Pop Pop” as he was affectionately known by his grandkids and their friends, lived a uniquely remarkable and full life. His passion for family, friends, and people in general was deep and genuine. He had a zest for life, a “joie de vivre,” which never faded during his 87 years of life. Loyalty, honesty, humility, dedication, wit, love, and generosity are only a few words which attempt to define Pat’s character.

Pat was a native and lifelong resident of Lafayette. He was a member of the first graduating class of Lafayette High School (present location) in 1955. He then attended L.S.U. where he was elected and served as President of the Student Assembly. He was also a proud member of Kappa Sigma fraternity, serving as Vice President. Pat received a B.A. degree from L.S.U. in 1959 and a commission as an officer in the U.S. Army. He served two years on active duty during the time of the Berlin crisis, and he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. During a stint at Fort Polk, he even served alongside the world-renowned Elvis Presley.

Upon completion of his active-duty service as a Captain in the U.S. Army, he entered L.S.U. Law School, where he graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1965. While in law school, he was a winner of the Robert Tullis Moot Court Competition and President of his senior class.

Pat was proud to call himself an attorney, having actively practiced law for 60 years. He was passionate about his work and always carried himself with dignity and class. Hard work and a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life enabled Pat to develop a reputation as one of the preeminent trial attorneys in Louisiana, where he tried over 200 civil jury cases to a conclusion. He was inducted as a Fellow in both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers. He received many accolades during his career, including the L.S.U. Law Center Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, Curtis R. Boisfontaine Trial Advocacy Award, and Lafayette Bar Association Hall of Fame.

Later in his career, Pat became known internationally for his distinguished work as a court-appointed Special Master in many of the largest and most complex cases in American legal history. Some of the most respected attorneys from across the country described Pat as “smart, honest, witty, and above all else, fair.” He had an uncanny ability to connect with judges, attorneys, executives, and individuals in a way which brought honesty and integrity to the entire process. In recognition of his experience, he was an invited speaker at programs throughout the United States, England, Italy, Korea, and Mexico.

Various federal and state court judges throughout the country (California, Florida, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Texas to name a few) appointed Pat to serve as Special Master. Two of the cases, Vioxx Product Liability Litigation and the Deepwater Horizon (BP Oil Spill), were the largest single payor settlements in American legal history. A few of the other nationally known cases were Avandia Products Liability Litigation, Combustion, Inc., New Orleans Train Car Leakage Fire Litigation, Propulsid Product Liability Litigation, Silicone Gel Breast Implant Litigation, Takata Airbag Litigation, and Toyota Unintended Acceleration Litigation.

In the public service area, Pat served as a delegate to the 1973 Louisiana Constitutional Convention. He was selected as Chairman of the March of Dimes and served on many boards, including Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and Krewe of Gabriel. In 1993, he reigned as King Gabriel over Mardi Gras activities. Always remaining true to his roots and loyal to his friends, he was the first and only known King Gabriel to direct the police escort to take him to Penny Saver and Breaux’s Mart on the north side of Lafayette to pay respect to a couple of his life-long friends.

Pat’s true, undeniable passion was his family. His wife, Truley, was his soulmate, and they took tremendous pride in rearing their three sons. They instilled in their kids the importance of hard work, loyalty, and “always taking the high road.” Pat loved to tell his friends and colleagues how his sons all exceeded his wildest expectations. His eldest son, Dr. Patrick A. Juneau III, is a neurosurgeon who did his residency training at Harvard Medical School. His middle son, Judge Michael J. Juneau, was an honors graduate of Harvard Law School and was later appointed to serve as a federal judge. His youngest son, Thomas R. Juneau Sr., is a practicing attorney/mediator who graduated from Tulane Law School. Pat enjoyed commenting that his L.S.U. degree “paid for those degrees from Harvard and Tulane.”

Pat also took tremendous pride in his role as a grandfather. “Pop Pop” played an active role in the lives of his grandkids. Even with his always hectic work schedule, “Pop Pop” was regularly seen at any event involving his grandkids, football, basketball, and soccer games; dancing, tumbling, and cheerleading competitions; etc.

Pat truly loved life and he loved people. He had a positive spirit which was infectious to those around him. He had zeal for life and lived every day to the fullest. His “joie de vivre” was deep and genuine. He enjoyed telling stories and was known to expand the veracity of those stories until he got a proper, enthusiastic response from his audience. Pat loved the outdoors and his L.S.U. Tigers. He once reluctantly left an LSU/Alabama game at half-time so he could report to the hospital for heart surgery.

Pallbearers honored to carry Pat to his final resting place include James Juneau, David Juneau, Thomas Juneau Jr., Jonathan Juneau, Drew Bute, Jordan Mueller, and Ryan Brown.

The family would like to offer their sincere gratitude to Dr. Gene Brierre and the wonderful, caring staff at Hospice of Acadiana.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages that donations be made to the Patrick A. Juneau Endowed Scholarship at the L.S.U. Law Center. Gifts can be made online (https://bbis32491p.sky.blackbaud.com/give-now) or by calling (225) 578-3645.

View the obituary and guestbook online at: www.delhommefuneral home.com