2022 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 98
BY SENATOR CORTEZ
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of
Louisiana upon the passing of James Pitman Hesterly Jr.
WHEREAS, James Pitman Hesterly Jr. was born on August 31, 1950, in Alexandria,
Louisiana, to Mary Moselle Alexander Hesterly and James Pitman Hesterly Sr.; and, as a
baby, his parents nicknamed him "Pit", a name that remained his moniker for life; and
WHEREAS, Pit's family moved to Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1962, and from that time,
beginning in the sixth grade, Pit left a legacy in Lafayette as a trustworthy and honorable
man, one who embraced life's gifts; and
WHEREAS, Pit was the most elegant man his family had ever known and he taught
his sons many lessons, including the fact that a navy blue blazer, a black belt, and black
shoes should be staples in every gentleman's wardrobe; and
WHEREAS, Pit wore his clothes with sartorial splendor, complementing his
charming speech and magnetic personality; Pit was known for his exquisite taste in Italian
fabrics, his appreciation for fine leather, sterling belt buckles, and hand-fashioned hats; he
loved alligator shoes and a nice pair of sunglasses which he occasionally even wore indoors;
and
WHEREAS, a patron of the arts and a true Renaissance Man, Pit loved all things
beautiful; he supported local artists and considered himself a modest collector; he loved
visiting museums and galleries and exposing his family to cultural enrichment; and
WHEREAS, Pit fostered the love of music in his wife and children, showing them
the joy of listening to Pavarotti, Motown, Broadway musicals, and Irish folk songs; and
WHEREAS, Pit enjoyed reading and writing poetry; he frequently shared with
friends poems written by the one and only "Shakespeare Thibodeaux" a favorite pseudonym;
and
WHEREAS, Pit established J. P. Hesterly Jr. and Associates in 1980 as a brokerage
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house offering independent petroleum land services for clients in Louisiana and Texas; and
WHEREAS, Pit employed countless men and women, giving a number of landmen
their first job in the business; his ease of manner and kindness to each employee made him
a most endearing boss; Pit's business associates became his close friends as he forged
lifelong relationships with the finest professionals in the land business; and his gifts of
stewardship, blessings that Pit recognized every single day, cannot be overstated; and
WHEREAS, Pit became a runner in 1981 after drafting a dear friend, Tom Hopkins,
to be his roommate and coach; together they formed "Hopkins Harriers", training with a
faithful group of athletes for many years; and Pit successfully competed in numerous road
races, marathons, biathlons, and triathlons across the South; and
WHEREAS, Pit took great pleasure in authoring a column in the newsletter of Red
Lerille's Health and Racquet Club (Red's) entitled "Feets of Endurance" and when Pit was
forced to quit running due to health issues, he began swimming at Red's where he enjoyed
a new camaraderie; Pit's athleticism, accompanied by his fierce competitive spirit, laid the
foundation for countless friendships; and
WHEREAS, Pit adored sports, especially golf, college basketball and football, major
league baseball, and horse racing; his impressive collection of sports memorabilia was only
rivaled by his ability to recite the important dates, players, and statistics of his favorite
teams; and
WHEREAS, Pit hosted the Hesterly Invitational Golf Tournament for many years;
he loved to attend live sporting events with his family, especially high stakes Louisiana State
University football games; he attended several World Series games to watch his beloved
Giants; he walked the hallowed ground of Augusta National many times; and he graced
Churchill Downs with his presence more than once at the Kentucky Derby - perhaps his
favorite event of all; and
WHEREAS, as both a coach and a mentor, Pit gave freely and lovingly to a
generation of young men who crossed his path; his coaching career began with his son
Pitman at Woodvale T-ball and extended on the soccer field until his son Miles graduated
from high school; and with his coaching partner, Scott Yerby, they took the Lafayette Futbol
Club Arsenal team to the state championship more than once, winning the title in 2007; and
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WHEREAS, Pit could spin a tale, display a vast knowledge of esoteric topics, quote
Shakespeare, sing the entire musical score from Oklahoma!, command the Scrabble board,
spell like a champion, and name world capitals with ease; and
WHEREAS, his brilliance shone in his mastery of the English language; nobody
could turn a phrase, assign a nickname, or describe life with humor and a beautiful
perspective like Pit; he made life better, he made it easier, and he made it more wonderful;
and
WHEREAS, Pit was humble, never seeking accolades or applause; he served many
people of all walks of life and gave generously to his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, he preferred to give rather than to receive, and his favorite moments
were treating his family to a fine meal, a glorious trip, or a long journey on the road; he lived
to create lasting memories for his wife Elizabeth, and their sons, Pitman and Miles; and
WHEREAS, Pit's heart was full of love for his fellow man, most notably evident in
his intense desire to help people suffering with addiction; having gone through treatment for
substance abuse himself, Pit felt led by God to help others who struggled; and with God's
guidance, he supported them to find a new life of sobriety; and
WHEREAS, Pit cherished his church, Episcopal Church of Ascension, and he loved
his church family who prayed for him faithfully for twenty-five years; and
WHEREAS, Pit was a graduate of Disciples of Christ in Community and served the
Lord well at Ascension: as a vestry member and Junior Warden, as co-chairman of the
Capital Campaign, as an usher and youth minister, as a member of the Men's Club, as a
stewardship volunteer, and as a student of God's word in the adult Bible study class on
Sunday mornings; and
WHEREAS, Pit served on the board of directors of the Lafayette Town House, the
Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, and The Well; Pit participated in Relay for Life as a team
member as runners ran through the night raising money for the American Cancer Society;
he organized the Games of Acadian Triathlon, enlisting the help of many local runners to
benefit The Miles Perret Center; he was a former member of Oakbourne Country Club and
Escondido in the Hill Country of Texas, two places where he showcased his love of golf with
friends; and
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WHEREAS, Pit is survived by his wife of almost thirty-eight years, Elizabeth
O'Roark Hesterly; his son James Pitman Hesterly III, his wife Natalie Tuminello and their
soon-to-be-born daughter, Grace Elizabeth Hesterly; his son Miles Crocker Hesterly, his
wife Courtney Sykes and their newborn son Charles McConnell Hesterly; his sister Cynthia
Hesterly Powell and her husband Richard Powell; his sister-in-law Kay Hesterly; his brother
William Stephens Hesterly and his wife Denise Anderson; his sister Mary Hesterly Frantz
and her husband Steve Frantz; his father-in-law Walter O'Roark Jr.; his mother-in-law Betsy
Vigorito; his brother-in-law Walter O'Roark III and his wife Bell deGravelle; his sister-in-
law Rebecca O'Roark Voyles and her husband Russell Voyles; and numerous nieces and
nephews who loved him like a father; and
WHEREAS, Pit is also survived by Drew Saab and Parker Reaux, two young men
he loved as honorary sons; his special friend Marie Oury who he considered his French
daughter; and his little ballerina "Adelaide," his cherished Sheltie; and
WHEREAS, Pit is also predeceased by his beloved brother John Joseph Hesterly with
whom he shared a special bond and who walked with him through a difficult journey with
grace; Pit counted on John for his exceptional professional skills, faithful companionship,
and the godly devotion of a best friend; their dual diagnoses might have shattered a lesser
pair of men, yet they held onto each other in prayer and faith, exhibiting inspirational
strength, courage, and fortitude; and
WHEREAS, James Pitman Hesterly Jr. lived a fulfilling and dedicated life and his
passing leaves a void in the community where he will be truly missed.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of
James Pitman Hesterly Jr.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
wife, Elizabeth O'Roark Hesterly.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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