Maj. Jean Paul de la Houssaye Sr., USAF, Ret.'s Obituary
Major Jean Paul de la Houssaye, Sr., USAF, Ret. passed away peacefully on August 14, 2023 in Covington, La at the age of 83. Jean Paul was the beloved husband of the late Karen Jahncke de la Houssaye for 55 years. He was the loving father of three boys, Jean Paul de la Houssaye, Jr., Malcolm de la Houssaye, and Michael de la Houssaye. Jean Paul was the proud grandfather of Jeanne Lea de la Houssaye, Grant de la Houssaye, Mason de la Houssaye, Harper de la Houssaye, Chloe de la Houssaye, and Faith de la Houssaye. Jean Paul was born and raised in uptown New Orleans by the late Dr. & Mrs. Roy E. de la Houssaye. He is predeceased in death by his eldest brothers Roy, Jr. (“Sonny”), Felix and Larue and is survived by his sister Margot Koch.
Jean Paul was a graduate of Jesuit High School and from there he attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (UL-Lafayette). He entered the USL ROTC program and was an ROTC instructor prior to graduating with a Political Science degree. Immediately after graduation Jean Paul entered the USAF and started his pilot training at Laughlin AFB, TX. On Oct 26, 1967, Jean Paul received his orders and entered the Vietnam War as a F-4D “Phantom II” Fighter Pilot. On June 19, 1968, Jean Paul returned from Vietnam and continued his service as a USAF Fighter Pilot until retiring and entering the civilian life with his family in 1984. Jean Paul received many honorable awards throughout his military career with the highest being the “Distinguished Flying Cross.”
After leaving the Air Force, Jean Paul spent his remining career owning and operating a sales agency. While not as exhilarating as flying jets, Jean Paul loved owning his own business and he cherished the relationships he built through his career.
Jean Paul loved his three boys and adored his six grandchildren. He was an avid sailor and loved being on the water. He loved to dance, and he never missed a chance to sing, especially in church. He was good to everyone he met, and his home was aways open to his friends and family. To know him was to love him, and he will be dearly missed.
Relatives and friends are invited to the Funeral Mass at E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, 2260 W. 21st Ave., Covington, LA 70433 on Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 12:00 Noon with visitation from 10:00 AM until Mass time. Interment will follow the service at Theodore Dendinger Cemetery, Madisonville, LA. Please share a memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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