Leroy A. Ladnier

LeRoy “Pat” Ladnier, 77, of Biloxi, MS, peacefully joined God on May 23, 2008. We are letting him go with heavy hearts, but take comfort in knowing he was spared much suffering. Pat was born in the Biloxi Hospital on February 13, 1931 to William and Antonia Bodin Ladnier and was a member of St. Alphonsus Church. He attended Lopez Elementary, graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1949, and served in the US Navy from 1951-1955 where he flew in Naval Air Squadron VP16 on PBYs and P2Vs. After his time in the Navy, he attended and graduated from USM in Hattiesburg. After graduation from college, he worked in the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean, Atlantic, Caribbean and many other areas. His fondest memories abroad were made in Trinidad while living and working with his brother, Fabin for Alf Danztler. After his work abroad, he worked as a captain in the northern Gulf oil industry. During this time, he met his wife Mary Wiltz Ladnier. He loved her immensely and they spent 39 years together. In 1971 began working with the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory and served as captain of the R/V Gulf Researcher and R/V Tommy Munro until his retirement in 1994. During his time with GCRL, he loved and was greatly loved by the students, faculty and staff with whom he worked. After retirement he enjoyed helping with his sons’ business operating the Naval Oceanographic Vessel IX 508. Other than his family and friends, Pat’s greatest love was his church, where he served in almost every capacity and attended daily mass at St. Alphonsus and Sacred Heart. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Wiltz Ladnier, his brother and sister-in-law Fabin & Doris Ladnier, sons Edward, William, Gregory and daughter, Laure. His grandchildren include Juliana and Aubrey Ladnier and Jessica, Rebecca and Joshua Vanderford. He was preceded in death by son David Kemmerer. He seemed to be everyone’s favorite person and everyone who knew him was enriched by his humble and forever optimistic nature. He loved to cook and was known for his famous gumbo. He loved “throwing the net” for mullet, opening oysters, and fish fries. He strongly advocated keeping family and friends together through parties and by his example. Pat had a tremendous love for his family, friends and co-workers and placed others wants above his own needs. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 11 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs where friends may visit from 9:30 until 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. A dinner celebrating his life will follow at the KC Hall on the church grounds. In lieu of flowers, Dad requested donations be made to his brother, Fabin's efforts with the St. Vincent de Paul Free Community Pharmacy located at 735 Division St, Biloxi, MS 39530, http://stvincentdepaulpharmacy.org or to St. Alphonsus Church. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi is in charge of arrangements.