ST. MARY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: ORTEMOND, LEON D., SR

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: Franklin Banner-Tribune, Morgan City Daily Review; St. Mary Parish, La. 

published: 18 April 2012

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ORTEMOND, LEON D., SR

ERATH — A mass of Christian Burial for Leon D. Ortemond Sr., 65, will be held 
at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 
with Father Joseph Brennan and Father Bill Melancon officiating.

Visitation will be at David Funeral Home of Abbeville beginning on Thursday, 
April 19, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a recitation of the rosary at 1 p.m. 
and at 7 p.m. Visitation will resume on Friday, April 20, 2012 at 8 a.m. until 
the time of service. 
Entombment will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Mausoleum.

A native of the Erath area and a long time resident of the Leblanc Community, 
Mr. Ortemond passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2012. 

Mr. Ortemond was a successful and respected pioneer in the Oilfield and Marine 
Industries throughout the Gulf of Mexico having founded and operated several 
service companies in the past 46 years. Throughout his highly esteemed business 
career he was a dynamic entrepreneur approaching every aspect of his profession 
with charisma and vigor. With his venturous and enterprising spirit he went on 
to be a commanding and motivational force in his monopoly of corporations. 
His early career, began in the 1960s which included offshore drilling 
operations for Magabar Mud Company, Oil Base, Inc. and Sun Oil Company. 
He then founded Petro-Drive Oil Field Hammer and Casing Company where he served 
as president from 1976-1981. From 1981-2003, Mr. Ortemond founded and operated 
Mar-Con, Inc., an Offshore Crane & Oilfield Offshore Construction Company. 
At the time of his death, he worked side by side with his sons and family 
members operating D&L Salvage and Marine Family of Companies. 
From 1978 — 1992, Mr. Ortemond developed and held several U.S. patents relating 
to offshore pile driving, lifting and crane installation services. As a 1964 
graduate of Erath High School he went on to receive athletic scholarships to 
both Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana and the University of 
Southwest Louisiana in Lafayette, Louisiana. 
In 1993 he was inducted into the Erath Hall of Fame in recognition for his All 
American Athletic performances. Mr. Ortemond was also an active member in the 
New Orleans Carnival Krewe of Hermes since 1981 and served as King in 1997.

With his boundless generosity and tireless dedication, Mr. Ortemond cherished 
his family above all else as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was 
the consummate patriarch and committed his life to the passion of his family. 
With his love for adventure and esprit de corps moral, he traveled the world 
with his adoring family in-tow leading them to numerous destinations around the 
globe. He exemplified his zest for life through his passion for all things 
aquatic; notably offshore power-boating and racing, having achieved a world 
record in powerboat racing from New Orleans, Louisiana to St. Louis, Missouri. 
Being self-taught in all his copious endeavors and with a constant eagerness 
for knowledge and understanding he was captivated with reading and research. 
His extensive and diverse philanthropic efforts included cancer research, 
education, athletics, government and law enforcement.

Based on mutual support and a deep love for one another, he had a collaborative 
and caring relationship with the love of his life, Diana Romero for 46 years. 
As consummate partners in life they supported and cared for their family with 
unending commitment and devotion. He is survived by his son, Lance David 
Ortemond and his wife, Kelly; his daughter, Christina Franques and her husband, 
Andre; six grand daughters; Mary Catherine, 14; Anna Grace, 10; Jeanne Claire, 
6; Caroline Elizabeth, 6; Laura Anne, 4; and Catherine Clare, 2.

Mr. Ortemond was proceeded in death by his parents, Lula Belanger Ortemond and 
Landis Ortemond and his brother, Charles Ray Ortemond.

Serving as pallbearers will be Harold Bouillion, John Khoury, Dr. Robert 
Segura, Dr. Terry Segura, Hubert Trahan and Jerry Withers. Serving as Honorary 
Pallbearers will be Robert Domingues, Weldon Granger, Wayne Green, Jack Hardy, 
Dr. Corbett LeBoeuf, Robert Morella, Vincent Rodriguez, Dr. Russell Romero, The 
Employees of the D & L Salvage and Marine Family of Companies and the Past 
Kings of the Krewe of Hermes, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Serving as readers will be Dr. Russel Romero, Corbett LeBoeuf, and serving as 
gift-bearers will be his 6 grand daughters, Mary Catherine, Anna Grace, Jeanne 
Claire, Caroline Elizabeth, Laura Anne and Catherine Clare.

Musical selections will include Be Not Afraid (Dufford), Shepherd Me, 0 God, 
Ave Maria (Schubert), Pie Jesu (Webber), Amazing Grace and Saints of God. 
Musicians will be Jodi Bollich — Soprano, Lauren Baker, Violin 1, Emil lvanov, 
Violin 2, Emma Guidry, Cello, Will Green – Trumpet and Linda Kidd, Organ.

In addition to flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in memorial to 
Mr. Leon D. Ortemond Sr. to the Ascension Episcopal School Athletic Fund and 
mailed to Ascension Episcopal School, 1030 Johnston Street, Lafayette, La. 
70501.

David Funeral Home of Abbeville at 2600 Charity St. (337) 893-3777 will be 
handling the arrangements.

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