John Thomas Sargent

John Thomas Sargent (Tom as his beloved wife of 38 years, Georgia, called him), 94, from New Iberia, peacefully left this earth on March 7, 2018, after a life lovingly and well lived to join Georgia. Tommie, as his parents and siblings called him, was born on October 26, 1923, in Joplin, Missouri, the son of Charles and Vivian Irene (Jenkins) Sargent, and the dear brother of Irene (Bahler), Patty (Hardy), Marjorie Dutchie (Gandy), Jimmy, and Bobbie, all of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife Georgia Marie (Sonnier), and his cherished grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jonathan Sargent. Tom (Dad, Daddy, Pop) is survived by his six children: David Michael (Carol) of Hyattsville, MD, Donald Patrick (Mauri) of Lafayette, Thomas Randall (Tessie) of Prairieville, Peggy Ann, Steven Mark (Louise), and Christopher Neal (Kristal) all of New Iberia; 22 grandchildren (PawPaw); 27 great-grandchildren (Great PawPaw); many nieces and nephew; and his sister- and brother-in-law Marella (Sonnier) and Shirby Breaux. During the Depression, the family moved from Joplin to Jennings, where he and his sisters and brothers attended school. Tom played fullback for the Jennings High School Bulldogs and delivered the Beaumont Enterprise in the early mornings before school. He attended Spencer Business College in Lafayette before joining the Navy in 1942. He served with the newly formed Naval Construction Battalion, better known as the Seabees, in the Pacific theater in New Guinea until the end of the war. Upon his return from the war, Tom and Georgia were married in Anse La Butte, on March 25, 1946, and later settled in New Iberia. Tom worked as a welder for Shell Oil Company (where his fellow workers and friends called him JT and Sarge) for 38 years primarily in Weeks Island, then off-shore until his retirement in 1984. In addition to raising six children with Georgia, Tom enjoyed going to the numerous sports events of his children and grandchildren, tended to their sports fields, attended St. Peters Catholic Church where he served as an usher, and, in the 50s and 60s, pitched and played first base for the Shell Royals, a fast-pitch softball team. He was an accomplished carpenter who taught himself and constructed an addition to the home to accommodate their growing family and the childrens baseball dugout in the backyard, and built many a barbeque pit for friends who admired his welding skills, as well as the best looking go-cart for the kids money couldnt, and only love could, buy. Tom was a simple, practical, tireless, hardworking man. He enjoyed household and outdoor tasks and performed them with great joy, zest, care, precision, and organization. As a person, he held honesty and good faith as core principles. As a family, these were qualities, values, and talents we all admired and strived to emulate. Above all else, Tom devoted his life to God, Georgia, his children, and the rest of his very large family. As the patriarch he wore many hats for his family, and, as individuals in this family, we all knew we were loved by him and that he was always thinking about us. He was there for anyone in the family whenever we needed help. And as we in our family know and often joke about, he paid for everything. He loved his family unconditionally and with great pride. He liked to say as he often looked over our large Sargent Circle at family gatherings: Im responsible for all of this! And he carried that responsibility with the deepest sense of duty and love. Visitation will be held at Pellerins Funeral Home, on Friday, March 16th, from 4:00 8:00 p.m., with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 17th from 8:00 11:00 am. We will celebrate Toms life and his joyous new life once again with Georgia at Pellerins on Saturday, March 17th, at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Father Keith Landry of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Following the service a reception to honor and remember Tom will be at held at son Marks home, 606 Terrell Court Tom will be laid to rest beside Georgia at Holy Family Cemetery during interment for family members. Pallbearers will be sons Mike, Don, Randy, Mark, and Chris, grandson Matthew LeCompte, and family friend David Lasseigne. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to Holy Family Cemetery, 2807 Curtis Lane, New Iberia, LA 70560, and/or to Bridgeway Healthcare and Hospice, 2014 Pinhook Drive, Suite 604, Lafayette, LA 70508, in memory of Tom Sargent. Tom spent many hours visiting Georgia and his grandsons, Jon and Jeff, at Holy Family; it is a special place to him and he deeply appreciated the care and attention given to the cemetery by Mr. Wade Broussard. Bridgeway gave compassionate care and comfort to Tom and the family during his final days and hours. The family wishes also to express its deep and lasting appreciation and affection for Toms care-givers in the final part of his journey of life, especially Mrs. Belinda LaSalle who lovingly cared for him for two years. To us, Belinda is family. To view on-line obituary, and sign guest book, please go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, 337.365.3331, is in charge of the arrangements.