SESS HENSLEY Obituary: Lafourche Parish, La.

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan

Source: Daily Comet, Thibodaux, Lafourche Parish, La.

4 Feb 2005


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NOTES:
1. The date preceding the obituary is the date of posting on the WWW,
not the date of death.
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February 02. 2005 2:48PM

Sess Hensley						[Photo]

Sess D. "Chub" Hensley, 85, a native of Mena, Ark., and resident of Houma, died 
Jan. 29, 2005.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Chauvin Funeral Home in 
Houma. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with 
burial in Mena.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Norma "Tillie" Patillo Hensley, a 
retired nurse; daughters and sons-in-law; Sessalee Ann Hensley and William Rusin 
of New Jersey, Lisa Hensley Weiss and William Weiss of Atlanta and Sarah Jane 
Hensley of Houma; grandchildren, Lauren Lusco, Eric and Matthew Weiss of Atlanta 
and Grace Hensley of Houma; and extended family members Barry Lusco of 
Prairieville, Elaine Frederick and Valerie Cooper of Houma.

He was a professor emeritues as Louisiana State University, author of numerous 
articles and textbook contributions on sugarcane pest management, proud veteran 
of the D-Day invasion of WWII and the Korean Conflict, loving husband, father, 
grandfather and friend.

He was considered a leading authority in the field of sugarcane entomology. He 
traveled worldwide to educate people in underdeveloped countries methods and 
ways to improve their lives by increasing sugarcane crop yield using pest 
management. His many contributions to the sugarcane industry earned him numerous 
awards and recognition. In 1993, he, along with Henry Long was honored at the 
Inter-American Sugarcane Seminar for ëoutstanding work in pioneering, 
developing, and practicing the environmentally sound practice of integrated pest 
management.' In 2004, he was further honored by induction into the Louisiana 
Agriculture Hall of Fame.

Hensley was a graduate of Oklahoma State University, majoring in the field of 
entomology. Upon receiving his doctorate, he continued working with the USDA in 
Houma to assist in the development of pest management in the sugarcane and 
soybean industry. In 1963 he accepted a teaching position at Louisiana State 
University and remained there until 1977 when he returned to the USDA in Houma 
as a research leader, He retired in 1985 but his love for the sugar industry 
brought him back to the field where he and his wife Norma worked as pest 
management consultants to local sugarcane farmers. In 1999 he fully retired to 
spend time with his family, treasured pets and pursue his love of fishing, 
gardening and growing prize roses.

Memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Association or charity of choice are 
preferred.

Chauvin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.