Visitation will be at Charlet Funeral Home in Zachary on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, from 5pm until 8pm, Thursday night, February 12, 2009 at Charlet Funeral Home in Clinton, from 5pm until 8pm, and on Friday, February 13, 2009 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Clinton from 9am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11am with an 8:30am Rosary Service. The mass will be conducted by Father M. Jeffery Bayhi. Burial will at Masonic Cemetery in Clinton, LA.
George Charlet, Jr. was a second generation funeral director and embalmer. Along with his brother, Donald “Pete” Charlet, he learned his life’s trade from his father, George Charlet, Sr. and his uncle “CA” Charlet. He was a graduate of Clinton High School in Clinton, LA, where he played football and ran track. He was proud of his many state track records. He received his mortuary training at the Dallas Institute of Gupton Jones. He was a member of the National Funeral Directors Association and the Louisiana Funeral Directors Association, which he served as president of in 2005.
He was a charter member of the Clinton, LA Jaycees. In 1975, he was selected as the Outstanding President of the Year of the Jaycees. In 1976, he was selected as the Outstanding Jaycee of the Year. He was also a member of the Zachary Jaycees and the Jackson Jaycees.
George served on the East Feliciana Parish School Board Committees for several years. When the East Feliciana school system was in dire need of new facilities, he organized the Citizens for Better Schools Committee, which helped pass a bond issue that allowed state-of-the-art schools for the parish. He was a member of the Clinton High Quarterback Club. He was an organizer and member of the Bon-Temps Social Club. He was a member of the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department, where he risked his life countless times to protect the lives and property of his beloved community.
He was selected at the Citizen of the Year by both the Watchman newspaper and the Clinton Lions Club. George was a “cultivated leader by God’s hand”; he was never just a member of any organization, but the undisputed leader. No newspaper is large enough to list the countless organizations to which he was a “charter member”, President, or Director, but his life was always centered on celebrating life in Christ, and saving lives regardless of the time of day or convenience.
Next to his family and his church, the International Scouting Program was the love of his life. He was a member of the Avondale District of the Istrouma Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He served as the Scoutmaster for Troop 60 in Clinton, Louisiana, where he guided hundreds of Scouts to the highest rank of Eagle Scout. This achievement is one of the proudest of his lifetime. He was a Vigil Honor Member of the Quinipissa Lodge of the Order of the Arrow, where he also served for many years as the Lodge Advisor. He served on the Advisory Board of Cub Scout Pack 60, and also served as a leader and advisor to the local Girl Scouts Troop. He received the Silver Beaver award for outstanding leadership in Boy Scouting and for his commitment to Scouting’s highest ideals. He was the Leader of the Istrouma Area Council’s first Tiger Cub Den. He served as a Scoutmaster to the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 1989, 1993, and 1997, and as a Scoutmaster to the World Boy Scouting Jamboree in Holland in 1995. In 2001, he was the Scoutmaster to one of the only Co-Ed Explorer Posts to the World Jamboree in Chile. He was an assistant Scoutmaster to the World Jamboree in London in 2007.
He also attended many Scouting Camporees, Conclaves, NOACs, and National Leadership Seminars. He was known worldwide to Scouts as “Uncle George”.
George Charlet, Jr. contributed both his resources and his time to thousands of philanthropic interests, both local and abroad.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Miriam Joy “Sue” Stelly of Clinton; four children: Nicole Charlet Wilcher and her husband David Wilcher, Jr, of Zachary; Miriam Charlet Knight of Clinton; G.J. Charlet III and his wife Gina Garretti Charlet of Zachary; and Christopher Jordan Charlet and his wife Aimee Mouch Charlet of Zachary; his parents, George Joseph Charlet, Sr and Betty Jo Ledoux Charlet; his brother, Donald “Pete” Charlet and his wife Connie Charlet of Zachary; two sisters: Linda Charlet Ulbrich and her husband Ron Ulbrich of Hondo, Texas; and Patty Jo Charlet Dart and her husband Bill Dart of Clinton; seven grandchildren, to whom he was known as “Gumpy”: Grayson Charlet Wilcher, Kennedy Nicole Wilcher, Lauren Weslee Wilcher, Allen Jude Charlet, Colin Jared Charlet, Georgia Kate Charlet, and Magnolia May Charlet; as well as many beloved cousins, in-laws, and those who thought of him as family.
He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Gordon and Dorthea Stelly, and his very special friend, Father Matthew Faschan.
Pallbearers will be: Selwyn Blouin, Jackie Burns, Don and Brent Charlet, David Dart, Sonny Franklin, George Haynes, Henry Martinez, Glynn Mayers, Major Matthew Peterson, and Joe Rouchon.
George asked for this special message to be shared in his obituary: “To all my friends, family, and loved ones: I was able to love because you let me love!! Spread it daily. Never let a day go by that you don’t tell someone who needs it that you love them. I am alright with my God. He knows my heart. I bet my life on Him. I ain’t worried. May that peace be all of yours. And never forget that service to humanity is the best work of life. And that today is the first day of the rest of your life.”
Donations to Memorial Masses may be made to Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, c/o St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4727 McHugh Road, Zachary, LA 70791.
The family wishes to thank all of those who are grieving with us at this time.
