James Forrest Choate Jr.

Dr. James “Jim” Forrest Choate, Jr., age 90, loving father, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away on Thursday, May 25, 2023. Jim was born in Texarkana, TX on January 29, 1933 to James Forrest and Bessie Mae (Polk) Choate. He graduated from LSU and was a proud member of the LSU baseball team in the early-to-mid 1950s. After graduation, Jim served in Korea as a member of the Eighth Army Band, and then pursued his passion as a music educator, earning an EdD from LSU, and most notably serving as the LSU University Laboratory School (U-High) Band Director from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. He was a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, and a member of First Presbyterian Church. He coached Little League baseball in both Baton Rouge and Maitland, FL, and enjoyed watching baseball, reading, history, drinking coffee, and spending time with friends (new and old), particularly at the New York Bagel Co. on Jefferson Hwy. Crossing paths with former students to hear about their careers, accomplishments, and families was a favorite past time. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his friend, Annette Brabetz; former wife, Virginia “Jenny” Christian Stokes; son, James (Caitlin) Forrest Choate III; daughter, Virginia (Todd) Choate Sykes; grandchildren, Connor Thomas Sykes, Clayton James Sykes, and Vivienne Elizabeth Choate; and nephew, Charles (Lisa Hutson) Stevens Myer, Jr. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Forrest and Bessie Mae (Polk) Choate; sister, Marie Ann Choate Myer; and niece, Catherine Ann Myer Yelverton.

A graveside service will take place on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 11AM at Louisiana National Cemetery, 303 W Mt Pleasant Zachary Rd, Zachary, LA 70791.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and/or the PAN Foundation.