James "Jim" Henry Mestepey, 85, passed away at his home in Rowlett, TX on Thursday, June 28, 2018. He was a native of Pride, LA and retired with 35 years of service from formally Allied Chemical, now Honeywell and Sequoyah Fuels.
​Visitation will be Monday, July 2, 2018 at Charlet Funeral Home, Inc., 4230 High Street, Zachary, LA from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 from 9:00 am until service time at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Sandy Creek Baptist Cemetery, 22834 Liberty Rd., Pride, LA. ​
Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joanne (Jody) B. Mestepey, daughter and son in law, Marsha Mestepey Whitt and James Whitt of Dallas, TX and son and daughter in law, Bobby James Mestepey and Claire Theriot Mestepey of Houston, TX, brother, M.L. Mestepey, Jr of Pride, LA and two grandchildren, Nicholas Mestepey and Piper Jo Whitt. Jim is preceded in death by his parents, M.L. Mestepey, Sr. and Heneretta (Etta) Kelly of Pride, sister, Louise Landrum and spouse, Luther E. Landrum of Slidell and sister in law, Maurie A. Austin. Pallbearers will be Rogers Mestepey, Bouchee Mestepey, Lane Mestepey, Marc Landrum, Caleb Landrum and Billy Hammell. Honorary pallbearer is Randy Smith. He served in the US Army during the Korean War. Jim graduated from Louisiana State University in 1963. Jim started his career in Uranium Conversion and Fluoride Production as a Lab Tech in Baton Rouge. As part of the start -up team for the pilot plant with Allied Chemical in Metropolis, Ill, he met his lovely wife of 58 years, Jody Burklow. Together the moved around the United States raising their family, and making many friends along the way. True to his motto, "Bloom where you are planted!", James embraced the nuances of each place he lived. He enjoyed the beauty of the Masters golf course, fresh produce from the Amish, the mist of Niagara Falls, cowboy hats and Native American history, but no matter where he lived, he continued to enjoy fishing, golfing, and anything LSU. One of his many accomplishments was the method of recovery of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride from depleted uranium hexafluride the he patented in 1994. His patience in guiding his children through the trials and tribulations to become adults was only surpassed by his unconditional love and support. In retirement, he continued to enjoy bass fishing and cheering for LSU. Jim and Jody once again re-located to be near their children and grandchildren. Jim was a loving husband, a supportive father, a devoted grandfather, a trusted friend and advisor for many and an enthusiastic LSU fan.
Donations may be made to : Sandy Creek Baptist Church, 22834 Liberty Rd, PO Box 10, Pride, LA 70770 or Temple Hill Cemetery Association, C/O Vicki Watson, Secretary, 3710 Hobbs Rd., Kevil, KY 42053.