family as they began the fifth decade of the Rosary.
Lee was born in Homer, Louisiana to Jimmie Hudson and Ora Lee Matthis Self on June
25, 1927. His family moved to Lake Charles in 1936 and he graduated from LaGrange
High School in 1944. Lee enlisted in the Merchant Marines at the age of 17 and was
drafted into the Army Air Corps a year later. He received an honorable discharge in 1947
and enrolled in McNeese Junior College on the GI Bill, and then went on to earn his
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University. While
attending McNeese, he met the love of his life, Jackie Richert, and to quote his memoirs,
“made me a very happy man and the father of 6 terrific children.”
Lee answered to many names; Dad, Daddy, Pop, Grandpa Self, Great Paw Paw, Hero, and at
Citgo he was referred to as the “Jump Over King” and a great boss. Our dad was the
smartest man we have ever known. He patented a shrimp de-heading device and the
Ultra Jack jack plate, and had many other ideas and “inventions” that were never
patented. Dad always told us, “I can fix anything but a broken heart”.
On his application for employment at Cities Service Refinery, Dad listed “hunger” as the
reason for seeking employment with them. (He was always known for his great sense of
humor.) After starting as a draftsman, 41 years later he retired from Citgo as General
Manager of Engineering and Tech Services. Those that knew and worked with Dad
knew that he was an engineer with common sense and was a “hands-on” boss that stayed
humble throughout his career.
Dad was an avid golfer with an amazing short game. He had a standing date with his golf
buddies three days a week for as long as they could enjoy the game. He passed his love
for fishing and hunting down to his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He
was the Weigh Master at our annual Self Family Fishing Tournament, and always wanted
us to share our fishing and hunting stories with him even after he was no longer able to
participate.
Preceded in death by his parents and wife of 66 years, Jacqueline Richert Self, Lee will
be missed by his 6 children: Linda Self Husers and husband Denis, James Randall
“Randy” Self (faithful daily visitor and coffee buddy) and wife, Carol Wilkerson Self,
Paula Self Michalko and husband Paul, Barbara Self Brashear and husband, Robert
"Bobby", Richert "Ricky" Leland Self and wife, Catherine Drez Self, Robert "Robby"
Warren Self and wife, Elizabeth “Beth” Fontenot Self all of Lake Charles; grandchildren,
Todd Husers (Gabrielle), Ashley Husers Daigle (James), Jennifer Husers McNab (Scott),
Bonnie Self, Adam Self (Lindsay Queenan, fiancé), Faye Pousson, Becky Fontenot
(Beau), Boyd Pousson (Jill), Emily Byrd (Casey), Brett Pousson (Katelyn, fiancé),
Jordan Brashear (Haylee), Landan Brashear, Conlon Brashear, Caroline Self, James
David (JD) Self, Hunter Self (Emily), Anne Marie Self LaBiche (Wesley), Elizabeth Self,
Gracie Self, Jolie' Self; great-grandchildren, Andrew Daigle, Elisabeth Daigle, André
Husers, Amélie Husers, Jacques Husers, Luke Husers, Hudson McNab, Harrison McNab,
Kayleigh McAnulty, Madeline McAnulty, Emma Pousson, Abbey Rougeau, Lilly
Ferreyra, Mary Jane Darbonne, Julian Darbonne, Brennan Stutes, Bailey Stutes, Sam
Fontenot, Drake Pousson, Fisher Pousson, Bella Pousson, Edie Byrd, Grady Byrd,
Charlie Byrd, Eloise Byrd, Kinley Brashear, Keller Brashear, Drew Self and baby
LaBiche. Lee is also survived by his sister, Gerald Dean “Jeri” Self Wiedmer along with
her children and grandchildren.
Special thanks to caregivers he affectionately called his “gals”, Bobbie Kelley, Kim
Moore, Kallie Jones, Vicky Jones, Cathy Nunez and Sandra Bill for their compassionate
and loving care. The family would also like to thank Christi, Erin, Charlotte, Lisa, and Jennifer
with Heart of Hospice for their guidance through this journey.
Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2019 at Hixson Funeral
Home Chapel of Lake Charles with a Scripture Service held at 6 p.m. Visitation will
resume at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home until time of service.
Funeral services will be at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Lake Charles on Wednesday, September 18, at 2:30 p.m. with Monsignor Daniel Torres officiating. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery in Lake Charles. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.JEHixson.com for the family.
“In Conclusion…All good things must come to an end. I have
had a charmed life. Good things have happened to me throughout
it. I don’t know of anyone that I would even consider swapping lives
with. I came from a family that loved me dearly. What more could a
person ask for? We have not lived lavishly, but adequately. I sincerely
hope that all of you will fare as well as we have or better. I hope that
you can live out your lives and continue to be as close to each other as
you are today.”
James Leland Self
