Leon Chelette, Jr.

Leon Chelette, Jr. was born on January 5, 1929, in Coushatta, Red River Parish, LA. He was the son of Parolee “Polly” Gillespie and Leon “Buck” Chelette. His only sibling, Barbara Jean Grantham, is now deceased.  Soon after he was born, his dad’s brother Dennis insisted that he be called “Pete”. This nickname stuck and is in fact on his birth certificate, Pete in quotes is listed as his middle name.  Many People still call him “Pete” to this day.

Leon is survived by his two grandchildren, Catherine Pierotich (JJ) and Jerrie Collins (Norman) both of Biloxi; his nieces Patricia Brumley of Converse, LA, and Cherie’ Grantham of Abbeville LA; his nephew, Donald Ingram of Dallas, TX; and many great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Leon graduated from Coushatta High School in May 1946 then enlisted in the Army Air Force, now the U.S. Air Force, on July 6, 1946. He served in the Air Force for 25 years as a radar technician and attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (E8). He retired from the USAF in December 1971. After retiring he worked in a two-way radio shop for 15 more years.

While stationed at an air base near Austin, TX, he met Addie Mae Walker. They were married on March 17, 1957, in Austin. After they met, Addie Mae started calling Brother Chelette “Lee”.  She had one daughter, Billie McNeil; and six grandchildren who called him “Paw Paw Lee”. Addie Mae was called “Maw”, so they became Maw and Lee. The grand children lived with them for a while and so Brother Chelette, unofficially, adopted them. He was their Paw Paw Lee and he loved them very much. Sadly, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Billie McNeil; and his grandchildren, Pamela Ann Barq, Janet Aucoin, Michael Patrick, and Charlie Patrick; his wife Addie Mae Walker “Maw” who passed away March 5, 1994. He missed her dearly and never attempted to remarry.

In 1960, Br. Chelette was sent to Kessler Air Force Base, where he became an instructor in an advanced radar technician school. He spent seven years as an instructor.  While living in Biloxi, they were visited by missionaries of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After quite a bit of struggling to abstain from tobacco and alcohol, they were baptized and confirmed as members of the Church on March 6, 1960.  As a member of the Church brother Chelette served in many callings. He became interested in genealogy and family history work and for many years served as the Director of the Family History Center operated by the Church in Gulfport. After being released as director, he continued to serve in the Family History Center until early 2018 when he was unable to drive because of his eyesight.  At home he continued to help others with their family history for a long as he could.

On July 9, 1985, Brother Chelette and Addie Mae were sealed together for time and all eternity in the Atlanta, Georgia Temple. The are now reunited in the Paradise of the Lord.

Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. March 30, 2023, at Riemann Family Funeral Home, 274 Beauvoir Road, Biloxi.  Burial will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park, Ocean Springs, MS.

In lieu of flowers please donate to www.stjude.org or to www.churchofjesuschrist.org

An online obituary may be viewed, and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com