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Regular Session, 2013 ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 30
BY SENATORS JOHNS, MORRISH AND JOHN SMITH AND REPRESENTATIVES
DANAHAY, FRANKLIN, GEYMANN, GUINN, HENSGENS AND
KLECKLEY
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Junius
Joseph "Joe" Champeaux II.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the citizens of the state
of Louisiana learned of the death of Mr. Junius Joseph "Joe" Champeaux II on March 31,
2013, at the age of seventy-four; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Champeaux was born on January 15, 1939, in New Iberia to J.
Joseph and Isabelle Champeaux; and
WHEREAS, he graduated from Landry High School in 1957 which is where he met
his high school sweetheart, Rosalie "Poddy" Leveque; and
WHEREAS, upon graduation, Joe studied architecture at the University of
Southwestern Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, he finished his undergraduate degree and received a master's degree at
Tulane University, and subsequently received a second master's degree at Rice University
with specialties in architecture, urban design, and city planning; and
WHEREAS, on July 29, 1961, Joe married the love of his life, "Poddy" Leveque and
from their union, three daughters were born: Renee Michelle, Caron Cherise, and Marjorie
Annette; and
WHEREAS, in 1963, Joe passed the Architecture Registration Exam and enlisted in
the United States Air Force where he served as a proud member of the 4420
th
Combat
Support Group, 1
st
Air Commando Wing of the Tactical Air Command at the Special Air
Warfare Center at Hurlburt Field, which is a part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base in
Florida; and
WHEREAS, he was assigned to the engineering department and worked with the
Wing Commander, General Gilbert Pritchard, on improvements at Hurlburt Field; and SCR NO. 30 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, after serving three years in the United States Air Force, Joe received the
Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Services which is the highest award given
for noncombat service, and at the end of his service, Joe and his family moved back to
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, in 1968, he was named the first in-house city planner in Lake Charles
and in 1972, he became a principal in the firm Barras Breaux Champeaux; and
WHEREAS, in 1980, Joe became the first and only architect from southwest
Louisiana to be elected by his peers to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of
Architects, which is a lifetime honor bestowed upon architects for their notable contributions
to the profession; and
WHEREAS, in the early 1980s, he established his own architectural firm and in 2004
the firm expanded to Champeaux Evans Hotard; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, Joe retired from the firm but continued to consult as requested;
and
WHEREAS, he served as president of the American Institute of Architects and the
Louisiana Architects Association and was named to the United States Capital Planning Task
Force in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, his forty years of practice as an urban designer involved thirteen cities
throughout the United States and Canada, as well as consultation for the United States
Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and
WHEREAS, Joe had the honor of representing American architects at an
international earthquake conference in Tokyo, Japan, and also presented a paper on United
States land use and planning methods; and
WHEREAS, he consulted in fifteen states on matters of life safety, public access,
urban design, ordinance preparation for standards of safety and convenience of public
spaces, and preparing urban design character sketches reflecting future development
potential; and
WHEREAS, Joe served pro bono as an urban designer and as chairman of the
American Institute of Architects National Regional Urban Design Teams in thirteen states;
and SCR NO. 30 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, members of those design teams assist communities throughout the
United States in developing a vision for the future, along with specific action plans to
improve land use within those communities; and
WHEREAS, Joe was instrumental in the development of many buildings and public
spaces in the Lake Charles area, including Operation GRIP, Operation Heartbeat, the
original boardwalk around the lakefront, the Christus St. Patrick Cancer Center, the
Southwest Louisiana Entrepreneurial and Economic Development Center, the American's
Wetlands Discovery Center, the Family Life Center at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic
Church, and the St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life, Joe Champeaux was an active community leader
and served as chairman of the Board of Directors for the Southwest Louisiana Chamber of
Commerce and as president of the following organizations: the American Red Cross of
Southwest Louisiana, the United Cerebral Palsy Organization of Southwest Louisiana, the
St. Louis Catholic High School Board, the Christus St. Patrick Board of Councilors, and
president and district governor of the Lake Charles Chapter of Serra International; and
WHEREAS, he volunteered his time and service to the Junior League of Lake
Charles by designing its logo and providing the cover design and sketches for the Pirates
Pantry Cookbook; and
WHEREAS, his sketches have also been donated to various organizations including
Lake Charles "Save the Arcade", the Junior League's Follies scenery, the Louisiana Choral
Foundation stage sets, the Children's Miracle Network telecasts for more than twenty years,
the Central School for the Dudie Thielen Award, the Chamber Southwest for economic
development proposals, and numerous schools and churches; and
WHEREAS, Joe was on the Board of the Krewe of Contraband for many years,
served as the Master of Ceremonies, and was honored as its king in 2008; and
WHEREAS, he was an active member of St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Our
Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, and, most recently, the Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception; and
WHEREAS, Joe is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Rosalie "Poddy" Marie
Leveque Champeaux, and his three treasured daughters, Renee Wood and husband Frank; SCR NO. 30 ENROLLED
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Cherise Sale and husband Chris; and Annette Cotton and husband Blake; and six cherished
grandchildren, Ashley and Frankie Wood; Andre Champeaux and Simone Sale; and Marie
and Camille Cotton; and was preceded in death by his parents, J. Joseph and Isabelle
Champeaux; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Joe Champeaux was a gentleman who was admired by all whose
lives he touched, leaves behind a rich and unique legacy, and is greatly missed; and
WHEREAS, although the death of Mr. Champeaux has left a tremendous void in his
community, his memory shall live forever in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved
him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Junius Joseph "Joe" Champeaux
II, does hereby recognize and record for posterity his accomplishments and contributions,
and does hereby extend enduring appreciation for the pride and honor that he will forever
bring to his family, friends, community, and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Junius Joseph "Joe" Champeaux II.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES