Obituary of Herbert Joseph Johnson

Herbert was born on January 26, 1942 in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Sidney and Hilda Chavis Johnson.  He received Christ in his life at an early age and was a member of Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  The name, Bubba, was a nickname given to him by his mother, and was used in affection primarily by his closest family members.    Herbert was a 1961 graduate of W.O.  Boston High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana.  Then, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard from September 1964 through January 1967 during the Vietnam War.  After returning home from the service, Herbert was hired by Cities Service Oil Company, now Citgo Petroleum, as a refinery operator.  Throughout his journeyman career, he was a pipefitter and a member of his local union.  He retired as an operator after 40 years of service!   Herbert was formally united in marriage to Gloria LeCompte for 38 years and they welcomed one daughter, Claudia LeCompte-Johnson.  In November 2013, Herbert moved to New Orleans in the care of his daughter.  He was a hard-working, selfless, and dedicated family man, father, and a proud veteran.

In his prime, his most favorite people to visit were his first cousin, Norman Chavis, in Opelousas, Louisiana, and his aunt, Cora Etta Robinson, and her extended family in Port Arthur, Texas.  Also, he enjoyed spending time with his sisters, Glenda, Shirley, and Beverly, brothers-in-laws, Herman, John, and James, and many other family members and friends.

Music was one of his great loves and he participated in the Lake Charles Community band as trombone player and was named after Herb Jefferies, a jazz singer.  Watching football games was a favorite past time as well as gardening, exercising, singing, and listening to jazz music.  Herbert was named the Mardi Gras King in 2015 at Sunrise Senior Living Facility and won the Talent Competition twice at the Southeast War Veterans home as recent as 2022.

Herbert leaves to mourn his passing, yet cherishing precious memories: his daughter, Claudia LeCompte-Johnson of New Orleans, Louisiana, and one granddaughter, Cassandra LeCompte-Johnson of New Orleans, Louisiana; seven brothers, all of Beaumont, Texas: James (Opie) Johnson, Jean Pierre (Alfreda) Johnson, Rex (Kathy) Johnson, Dale Johnson, Tex (Sandra) Johnson, Jason (Wanda) Johnson, and Martin Dawson Johnson; one sister Trudy (Mohammed) Hoque of Houston, Texas;  brothers-in-law, Herman Lazare, Sr. of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Adam (Audrey) LeCompte Jr.; sister-in-law, Marcella (Allen) Tezeno of Tulsa,  Oklahoma; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Herbert was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Gloria LeCompte-Johnson, his parents, Sidney and Hilda Chavis Johnson; two brothers, Lester Johnson and Tommy Johnson; five sisters, Wilma Johnson Beachum, Shirley Johnson Swaggard, Glenda Johnson Cooper, Beverly Johnson Lazare, and Mary Johnson Franklin; six brothers-in-law:  Linton LeCompte, Welton LeCompte, Delton LeCompte, John Swaggard, - James Cooper, Deatrice Beachum; four sisters-in-law, Mary Guillory LeCompte, Debra Malbrough LeCompte,  Joycelyn Orsot LeCompte, and Earla Mae Gamble Johnson; and five nephews, Scott Anthony LeCompte, Rex Aaron Johnson, Jr., Dustin Ulysses Boatner, Jean Pierre Johnson, II, Calvin Murray Johnson, Sr.; and one niece, Judy Rochelle Jones.

Herbert was a blessed man who was dedicated to his family, especially to his daughter and granddaughter.  He expressed and demonstrated unconditional love.  We were truly blessed to have had him in our lives.

In lieu of flowers, we ask donations be made to the American Heart Association (www.heart.org) and/or the Alzheimer's Association at https://act.alz.org/ in the honor of Herbert Joseph Johnson.