82S11057 BPG-D
By: Hamilton H.R. No. 176
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of esteemed restaurateur A. J. Leger of
Beaumont on May 31, 2011, at the age of 71; and
WHEREAS, Born in Lafayette, Louisiana, on May 1, 1940,
Mr. Leger began working at the age of 10, delivering both the
morning and evening newspapers; he embarked on a 50-year career
with Don's Seafood and Steakhouse as a 12-year-old busboy at the
Lafayette restaurant; graduating from Lafayette High School, he
served his country in the United States Marine Corps for six years
before returning to Don's Seafood as kitchen manager; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Leger moved to the restaurant's Baton Rouge
location as a kitchen manager and then opened a Don's in Shreveport
in 1965; three years later, he built a new Don's Seafood in Beaumont
and was both a working partner and manager; the restaurant became
one of the city's most successful establishments and Mr. Leger
received numerous accolades; in 1974, he was named Outstanding
Restaurateur Sabine Area Chapter by the Texas Restaurant
Association, and in 1997, the Texas Restaurant Association inducted
him into its Hall of Honor; he retired from the business in 2002 and
then worked for six years at Kymoco Signs and Graphics; and
WHEREAS, For more than four decades, Mr. Leger was an active
member of the Sabine Area Restaurant Association, and he served as
its president in 1979; he was a founding member of the Taste of the
Triangle and served as chair and honorary chair, and SARA dedicated
the event to him in 1991; above all, he enjoyed cooking for
community events, including fund-raisers for the Young Men's
Business League, the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, the City
of Beaumont, the Fire Museum of Texas, and Boys' Haven; famous for
his gumbo, he estimated, with characteristic humor, that he had
cooked enough of it to float a battleship; he also served on the
boards of Boys' Haven, the Fire Museum, and Cooks 2 Dozen Plus,
among other organizations; and
WHEREAS, This dynamic Texan enjoyed a long and happy marriage
to his high school sweetheart, the former Patricia Guidry, and he
was devoted to his daughters, Rhonda, Angie, and Jodie, his
grandchildren, Ashley, Kyleigh, Morgan, Cody, Drew, and Mason, and
his many friends; in his leisure, he enjoyed golfing, hunting, and
gardening; and
WHEREAS, A. J. Leger made a positive difference in his
community and enriched the lives of innumerable people through his
kindness and joie de vivre; although he is deeply missed, treasured
memories of time spent in his company remain to comfort those he
left behind; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby pay tribute to the life of
A. J. Leger and extend sincere condolences to the members of his
family: to his wife, Patricia Guidry Leger; to his daughters,
Rhonda Crabtree and her husband, Guy, Angie LaBiche and her
husband, Dohn, and Jodie Rutledge and her husband, John; to his
grandchildren, Kyleigh, Morgan, and Cody Crabtree, Drew LaBiche,
and Mason Rutledge; and to his many other relatives and friends;
and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
A. J. Leger.