Gary Champagne Jr.

Gary Champagne, Jr., 71, a native of Gheens, LA, and a resident of wherever the motorhome took him, passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Services will be held on Friday, October 25, 2024 in Galliano, LA at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 17980 W. Main St., Galliano, LA 70354. Honoring will be from 8:30 -11:00 am. Mass to follow. Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am by 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Mr. Gary Jr. is survived by his wife, Phyllis Chauvin Champagne; his children: Mandi (Josh) Krieg, Tiffanie Sultan (Paul Gilcrease), and Matthew (Kira) Champagne; his 5 grandchildren: Taylor, Isabella, and Abigail Krieg, Tristan Sultan and Ember Dardar; his siblings: Ralph (Mary) Champagne, Jerome (Cindy) Champagne, Diane Champagne, Jody (Florence "Tut") Champagne, Glenn (Robin) Champagne, Dwayne (Denise "DeeDee") Champagne, Denise (Godchild) (Bryan) Dufrene, and Tammy (Cassie) Martinez; his aunts: Sherry Ann (Charles) Billiot and Mary (Ursin) Champagne, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson Sebastian Sultan, his parents, Gary Champagne, Sr. and Lilly Mae Cedotal Champagne; his sister Andrea Dufrene; brothers-in-law: Corky Dufrene and Tom Orgeron; uncles and aunts: Jessie (Gail) Cedotal, Ursin Champagne, and Sherrie (George) Guidry. Gary was a member of KC Council #9000, where he served as Chancellor; 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Trustee; Membership Director and Grand Knight. He also served on the Fire District #3 board for several years. Gary owned Champagne's Piggly Wiggly in Galliano for approximately 14 years, and he worked for Doerle Food Service until he retired in 2018. Ever since getting married to his high school sweetheart in 1971, camping was his dream. Since his retirement, Gary and his wife Phyllis had been traveling the United States. They visited 38 states, meeting so many wonderful people they called their Camping Family. Gary never met a stranger and was loved by all. In retirement, Gary began making walking sticks - selling some, but mostly giving some away to people he knew were in need and even donating some to Relay for Life. The family would like to thank North Oaks and Dr. James Parker as well as the doctors at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital and St. Tammany Parish Hospital for the care and compassion they provided.

Tributes

Gary Champagne Jr.

August 13, 1953 - October 16, 2024