Joseph "Pop Joe" Lawrence Lemoine, Jr.

Lafayette - Joseph “Pop Joe” Lawrence Lemoine, Jr. November 6, 1947– May 12, 2025 A Graveside service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM at the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Jennings, LA. for Joseph “Pop Joe” Lawrence Lemoine, Jr. who passed away peacefully on May 12, 2025, at the age of 77. In his final days, he was surrounded by many of the people he loved and who loved him. Born into humble beginnings in Lafayette, Louisiana on November 6, 1947, a fact of which he was very proud, Joe lived a life of purpose, brilliance, and unwavering love. He was many things over his lifetime—a pilot, an engineer, an attorney—but above all, he was a fiercely devoted father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend. To know him was to witness a life shaped by service, intellect, unwavering love for his family, and generosity of spirit. After graduation from Northside High School, Joe attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he was a cadet in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. Shortly after graduation, he answered the call to serve his country and joined the United States Air Force. As a Captain during the Vietnam War, he ferried cargo to soldiers in combat and carried the most precious cargo home—the soldiers. His military service was marked by honor and humility, and he carried those memories with quiet pride—not for accolades, but for the deep satisfaction of duty and purpose fulfilled. His reflections on his military service were never about heroism, but about gratitude—for the strength it forged, the lessons it taught, and the doors it opened. Nonetheless, Joe was honored with the following for his service: Air and Space Commendation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon; Vietnam Service Medal; Air and Space Longevity Service Award; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After his time in uniform, Joe transitioned seamlessly into a successful engineering career at Baxter Laboratories in North Carolina, where he quickly rose to plant manager. But his desire to grow did not stop there; Joe returned to Louisiana and attended Louisiana State University Law School on the G.I. Bill, for which he was immensely grateful. After he graduated, he became a respected and brilliant patent attorney. Known by many of his colleagues as “the smartest man in the room,” and an entertaining litigator, Joe often used his skills and intellect to help those in need. He frequently took on just causes free of charge, solely so that “justice may be done” or a “reasonable” resolution reached. Joe was a man of sharp wit and sharper intellect, and he did not just practice law; he practiced fairness. Joe had a gift for solving problems—legal, mechanical, or otherwise. He was a master tinkerer. There was almost nothing he could not build or fix. On Saturdays, you would find him in the yard, sleeves rolled up, surrounded by tools and determination—whether it was repairing an engine or constructing a workshop. And if you didn’t find him in his yard, you might find him in the yard of a loved one lending his hands and know-how on the project of the day, about which Joe almost always knew more than they did. Even in his later years, Joe was still at it—mowing his lawn or guiding one of his children through some tinkering project. Of all of his accomplishments and roles that he played, his favorites were those closest to the heart: “Dad,” “Brother,” “Pop Joe,” and “Uncle.” Joe was a loving and devoted father to Sarah, Joey, Zachary, Laura, and Joshua. He raised his children to be kind, curious, hardworking, and capable—always teaching, fixing, analyzing, and guiding. Whether it was helping with college, home repairs, or life’s tough questions, he was there—with wisdom, love, and a steady hand. A simple phone call with the words, “Dad, I don’t know what to do,” was all it took for Joe to offer a solution, or, if one did not exist, wise words to weather the storm. Joe was also a devoted husband to Teresa. Throughout her battle with cancer, he stood by her side. In her final months, he became her constant caregiver, ensuring she was never alone—a testament to his deep and enduring love. To his grandchildren, he was “Pop Joe”—joyful, playful, and full of mischief. He delighted in bouncing his grandchildren on his knee to elicit baby belly laughs, “hooking” them with his cane to make them giggle, and treating them to “second breakfast” filled with snacks their parents might not approve of. He was famous for his surprise Sonic trips for Frito chili pies, and he proudly cheered his grandchildren on through school, rewarding them for good grades and good deeds, and he celebrated every milestone with pride. These memories will echo for generations. Joe was also a cherished big brother – a role he took very seriously. To his siblings, he was a steadfast guardian, a trusted confidante, and a lifelong friend. He embraced the role with heart and purpose, always ready to protect, support, and guide his siblings through life’s twists and turns. One of his greatest joys was surprising his sister with an impromptu visit, where deep conversations flowed easily over simmering pots of smothered chicken— one of his favorite dishes, lovingly prepared just for him. As an uncle, Joe’s warmth knew no bounds. He gave his time, his talents, and most importantly, his heart to his nieces and nephews, always showing up when they needed him most. Joe had a big heart and a big presence. He was larger than life in many ways. He gave without asking. He showed up without being called. And many in his family credit him with helping to shape them into the people they are today—strong, kind, and always ready to lend a hand. Joe is survived by his children, Sarah Elaine and her fiancé, Cris; Joseph Lawrence III and his wife, Caitlin; Zachary Alan and his wife, Ashley; Laura Anne and her husband, Kory; Joshua Joseph; and Nicholas Alexander; his grandchildren, Kassiel, Lilianne, Genevieve, Anneliese, Jolie, Boston, Adrian, Brittany, and Austin; his siblings, Hope, Mary, Bill, Mamie, and John; many nieces and nephews; and his companion, Jodi, all of whom he loved dearly and by whom he was so loved. Each one carries a piece of his spirit, his humor, and his unwavering love. He was preceded in death by his wife, Teresa Tyus Lemoine; daughter, Catherine; his parents, Joseph Lawrence Lemoine, Sr. and Glory Hope Colley Farley; his maternal grandparents, Carroll Charles Colley and Elizabeth Hope Merriweather Colley; and his paternal grandparents, Pierre Adras Lemoine and Ethel Cahanin Lemoine. Joe’s legacy of action, compassion, and strength lives on in the lives he touched, the lessons he taught, and the family he loved so dearly. His family and friends will carry forward his values: work hard, love deeply, give freely, and always, always try to do the right thing. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to honor Joe in the way he would have wanted—by helping someone fix something, by offering your time to someone in need, or by simply doing a good deed without expecting anything in return. Donations in his name in lieu of flowers may also be made to M.D. Anderson or Lourdes J.D. Moncus Cancer Center, both of which cared for his wife and daughter, or to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Following the graveside service there will be a Celebration of Life starting at 12:00 noon at the Petroleum Club in Lafayette. Arrangements have been entrusted to Cypress Funeral Home & Crematory, 206 W. Lafayette St., Maurice, LA 70555.

Joseph "Pop Joe" Lawrence Lemoine, Jr.

November 6, 1947 - May 12, 2025