TITLE: In memory of A. J. Leger of Beaumont.

SUMMARY: In memory of A. J. Leger of Beaumont.

FULL TEXT:
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. Hamilton Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 176 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on June 28, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House