James Ray Leger, 73, of Sulphur passed away Thursday, March 28, 2024 in a local healthcare facility.

Mr. Leger was a lifelong resident of Sulphur.  He was a graduate of Sulphur High School and studied at McNeese State University.  Mr. Leger was well known in the southwest community as an icon at Tony’s Pizza.  Through the years he not only enjoyed working wherever needed, but also greeting and meeting customers and developing friendships with countless regulars.  He loved Christmas, shopping and gift giving: a little something for everyone, co-workers, family and friends.  His latest years, he shopped for candy and sodas for the staff and fellow residents.  He was sociable, kind and generous.  He found joy in looking after his parents, their home and their needs as they grew older.  His passion was travel!  Mr. Leger loved travel by Cruise ships but began to travel to and explore throughout the Caribbean islands and mountains: Tahiti, Hawaii and Martinique Island being amongst his favorites.  He acquired knowledge of the language of his travels and in recent years began studies of the French language as he looked forward to practicing every day.  He was also a man of faith and prayer, a member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.  Mr. Leger will be most remembered for his great attitude, his gift of getting to know people and his character of always having something nice to say.

He leaves to honor his memory, one brother, Louis Leger of Woodward, Okla.; nieces and nephews, Mary Kate Spaulding (Britt), Connie Owens (Steve), Steven Leger, Linda Cannizzaro (Carl), Dana Price, Mark Howard (Leesa), Trish Varela (Raul), Scott Howard (Kelly), April Woodard (Alan) and Johnny Leger; nephew-in-law, Lonnie Fruge and many great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Antoine Leger and Laurence Savoy Leger; brother, Robert Leger; sisters, Lula Mae Johnson and Betty Hanchey; nephew, Randy Johnson and niece, Paula Fruge.  

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, April 5, 2024 at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles.  Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate.  Interment services will be held at Mimosa Pines South Cemetery.  Visitation will be Thursday from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a rosary service beginning at 6 p.m. in the funeral home.

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