Last Roll Call

The following Compatriots from the Dr. Enemund Meullion Chapter, Louisiana, Sons of the American Revolution have crossed over the river and are resting in the shade of the big oak tree, they will be deeply missed!

Dr. James DeLee
May 15, 1930 - October 24, 2023

Dr. James DeLee, 93, entered into eternal life with Jesus Christ on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, LA.

James was born on May 15, 1930 in Jackson, LA to Thomas Kernan DeLee and Rosa Spillman DeLee. He grew up as the youngest of eleven siblings with nine brothers and one sister. He spent much of his childhood working on the family farm and playing checkers. After a long day of work, he and his brothers would cool off by swimming in Thompson Creek.

He showed an aptitude for intellectual achievement at an early age and continued to pursue education his entire life. He graduated from Julius Freyhan High School in St. Francisville, LA in 1947. He attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in vocational agriculture in 1951 and a Master of Education in administration in 1956. He attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks while serving in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He went on to earn his Doctorate in educational administration and supervision from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1970.

DeLee is survived by the love of his life, Catherine Eugenia Puerta DeLee. Their relationship started over a cup of coffee in the LSU Union and became a lifelong journey of mutual love, respect and admiration that inspired everyone they encountered. They were married on August 10, 1957 at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Dequincy and they recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. They had three children: Rosalin DeLee Gregory of Alexandria; James Anthony DeLee and wife Wanda Schexnayder DeLee of Collinsville, Mississippi; and Cathy Jo DeLee Martin and husband Carey Martin of Waco, Texas, along with twelve grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents (named above), a great grandson, Mark Anthony Huff, and all of his ten siblings: Thomas Kernan DeLee Jr., Daniel Webster DeLee, John Rufus DeLee, Arthur DeLee, Abraham DeLee, Isaac DeLee, Jacob DeLee, Rosa DeLee Kent, Andrew DeLee and Samuel DeLee.

He had many interests and hobbies. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and was known for organizing football games with his grandchildren that frequently ended in a tie. He often challenged his children and grandchildren to a game of checkers. He never tired of chatting and discussing politics with his friends and family. He truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures like traveling with his wife, drinking coffee, reading, praying, studying the Bible, square dancing and watching the news. He was very active and could often be found working outside. He cared for God’s creation through planting trees and gardening. His yard was always meticulously cared for.

He was passionate about learning and teaching. He spent his life imparting his knowledge to others, and he endeavored to inspire everyone he encountered to realize their educational goals. His professional experiences were numerous. He began his career as an adult education teacher in Plaquemines and East Baton Rouge Parishes. He taught junior high math and science in Calcasieu Parish. He was an associate professor of elementary education at Louisiana College, and he was the director of student teaching at McNeese State University. DeLee served in the Louisiana State Department of Education as a supervisor of elementary schools and later as the director of teacher education and certification.

He relocated and made Alexandria his home in 1975 when he accepted a position at LSU-Alexandria as the assistant dean of admissions and academic affairs. He served in various positions during his 15-year tenure at LSU-A including acting dean and chief academic officer, professor of education, and the coordinator of the LSU Baton Rouge Graduate Program. He retired from LSU-A in 1990. He then became the Alexandria area graduate education coordinator for Northwestern State University from 1990 to 1995. He also owned and operated the Louisiana Real Estate School in Alexandria. During his extensive career, he authored a number of books and his expertise, knowledge and research were published in numerous educational periodicals and pamphlets.

DeLee was a United States Army Veteran and he proudly served in the HQ 4th infantry during the Korean Conflict. He received a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal during this time.

He was a faithful member of Emmanuel Baptist Church where he served throughout the years as a Deacon and a Sunday School Teacher. He was a member of several organizations including the Louisiana Association of Teacher Educators, Sons of the American Revolution, Alexandria Lions Club, Phi Delta Kappa, the Masonic Lodge, El Karubah Shriners and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Dr. James Lee, registered on 26 Apr 1974. He was a Charter member and Past President /Secretary /Treasurer (Jan 1, 1990-December 31, 1991) of the then Alexandria Chapter, changed to Dr. Enemund Meullion Chapter in 1997.

Kenneth L. Gremillion
October 13, 1954 - April 2, 2023

Graveside services honoring the life of Kenneth Gremillion will be held at Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, 3348 University Pkwy, Leesville, LA 71446, on Thursday, April 6 at 1:30 PM, under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.

Kenneth L. Gremillion, a proud veteran of the Air Force, passed away on April 2, 2023, beloved husband of Linda Sue Edgerton, also an Air Force veteran serving our country for 20 years retiring as a Technical Sargent, the loving father to their three sons Christopher and his wife Terri Moreau who live in Bristol, England), Robert and Patrick (Lecompte, LA).

The son of Tellis and Arvilla Gremillion, Kenneth grew up in Lecompte, Louisiana. He was also predeceased by his sister Maureen Sands and his brother Walter Gremillion and is survived by his sister Kathy Cleveland and his brother David Gremillion.

He was born October 13, 1954, in Alexandria and graduated from Holy Savior Menard High School.

At the age of 19, Kenneth enlisted in the Air Force and served for fourteen years. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of Technical Sargent. He was a Communications & Navigation Systems Technician, and his assignments and the aircraft that he serviced took him to McClellan AFB, CA, EC 121 AWACS; Beale AFB, CA, SR-71, U-2 and KC 135; Eielson AFB AK, RC-135 and Cobra Ball; Offutt AFB RC-135 and NEACP; Okinawa AB, Japan, RC-135, AWACS and KC-135.

He received the AF Outstanding Unit Award, w/3OLCS; AF Good Conduct Medal, w/3OLCS; National Defense Service Medal; AF Long Tour Ribbon; AF Longevity Service Ribbon, w/2OLCS; NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon; and the AF Training Ribbon.

Ken enjoyed family gatherings, including hosting reunions, and was particularly devoted to the nutritional and medicinal value of crawfish. Ken enjoyed weekend flea markets and the wonderful people that he met there. He was also a member of the local Enemund Meuillion Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) which is an organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and teaching American history to future generations.