Morris Joseph Lapeyrouse

On Wednesday August 13, 2025, at 1:18 p.m., God called Morris J. Lapeyrouse home to Heaven. He was 97 years old, born in New Orleans on October 20, 1927 to parents Morris Lapeyrouse of Houma and Claire Toups Lapeyrouse of Thibodaux.

Morris is survived by daughter Denise Leonard (Roy); son Keith Lapeyrouse (Sandra); grandson James Lapeyrouse; sisters Marlene Lapeyrouse Lorio and the late Marion Waguenhauser; late stepdaughter Xenia Helmstetter and stepdaughter-in-law Cindy Goudeau (Gano); and daily caretaker Terri Rushing.

Morris was truly considered a “catch” with his good looks, easy charm, and hard work ethic. He married Thelma Wigginton Lapeyrouse, and some 10 years later after Thelma’s passing, Nellie Forsythe Lapeyrouse. Sadly, both passed away before him after suffering long-time illnesses; Morris lovingly cared for them until their passing. In the early years of his marriage to Thelma, he moved the little family to Chalmette and enjoyed life fully there.

Morris graduated from Aloysius High School and Delgado Community College, and worked 30 years for the Federal Government at the Port of Embarkation as a Planner and Estimator. He was also in the Merchant Marines and drafted into the Army during the Korean War.

Morris retired at 54 with a comfortable pension. He loved working on wood projects, but could also do electrical, plumbing, roofing, cementing, and most anything else. He added on to the Chalmette house several times and renovated the Algiers Point house after he moved there. Morris was Godfather to several nieces and nephews, and loved playing ball in the backyard and teaching them to build construction items as well.

While busy at work and home with Thelma being sick early on, Morris still found time to be active at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Chalmette and was an Assistant Boy Scout Leader of Troop 85. He helped to establish the Bullseye Shooting Range and enjoyed the NARF, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, and their meetings. He was an avid gun collector and reloader, and won several shooting competitions.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church, 400 Verret Street, New Orleans, LA 70114, from 9am to 11am with a Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial services to follow at Westlawn Memorial Park, 1225 Whitney Ave., Terrytown, LA 70056.