TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La.

OBITUARIY for LEGENDRE, BENJAMIN L., SR.
  
Submitted by: Louis Lavedan

Source: Landry’s Funeral Home, Lafourche Parish, La.

Died: Wednesday, July 5, 2017

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LEGENDRE, BENJAMIN L., SR.
August 22, 1943 - July 5, 2017

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Dr. Benjamin Leighton Legendre, Sr., a native and resident of Thibodaux, LA, 
passed from his earthly body into heaven on July 5, 2017 at the age of 73.

A visitation will be held in his honor on Friday, July 7, 2017 at Landry's 
Funeral Home, Thibodaux, LA from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and will continue on 
Saturday, July 8, 2017 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Thibodaux, 
LA from 8:30 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. 

The burial will follow in St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church cemetery, 
Thibodaux.

Ben always bled purple and gold and lived by the motto, "How Sweet It Is." He 
could tell you about every type of sugarcane that one could encounter, and he 
may have even developed a few varieties that you see around here. He was 
affectionately called Dr. Ben by many around the world, and his passion for 
sugarcane was so great that when he retired from the USDA Agricultural Research 
Service in Houma after more than 30 years, he began a new adventure with LSU 
AgCenter. In 2000, he began working at LSU AgCenter's Sugarcane Research 
Center, then served as the Department Head of Audubon Sugar Institute from 2007 
until his death.

We fondly remember him singing along to "It's Hard to be Humble" and any Ray 
Stevens song, knocking on wood two times before every important play for LSU, 
giving amazing tours of Lafourche Sugars, enjoying traveling to find more 
people with whom to discuss sugarcane, being a loyal family member, and working 
hard to provide for his family.

Ben was a proud LSU alumni, where he received his Ph. D. in Plant Breeding in 
1970. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He is survived by his children from his marriage to Nell Talbot Legendre: Lisa 
Legendre Davies and husband, Jack; Benjamin Legendre, Jr. and wife, Lisa; 
Nicole Legendre Flanagan and husband, James; and Stephanie Legendre Pertuit and 
husband, Ross. He is also survived by brother Gustave Legendre and wife, Clair; 
and sisters Patricia O'Grady and husband, Jim; Irene Legendre; and Eloise Toups 
and husband, Thad; as well as grandchildren Zakary and Austin Courtney; Jake 
and Abby Davies; Leighton, Claire and John Patrick Flanagan; and Lucas, Alex 
and Marcus Pertuit. 
In addition, Ben is survived by his fiancée, Annrose Guarino, as well as 
several wonderful aunts, nieces, nephews, godsons and more.

Ben is preceded in death by his parents, Irving and Eloise Legendre, brother, 
Irving Legendre, Jr, and brother-in-law John Legendre.

Landry's funeral home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

U.S. Army
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