Sidney "Pookie" Babin Jr.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”

S.L. Babin, Jr. known by ‘Pookie’ was born May 11,1940 in Gonzales, LA.

Even at a very young age Pookie always had in mind to do something productive in life. So, Pookie would pull his toy wagon with a block of ice from ‘The Ice House’ a few blocks from downtown Gonzales to sell snow balls. Also, on Friday nights and Sunday evenings he would sell cold drinks at the football and baseball games to earn extra money. He was passionate about telling the story of riding his bike from his home on South Burnside to North Burnside to sell cold drinks at a rodeo that was held on weekends.

By the time Pookie was twelve years old, he worked for National Food Store to earn more money per week than the $5.00 a week he earned from his daddy’s food store.

At the age of fourteen he decided to try out for the ‘The Gonzales Bulldogs’ football team. He made the team his freshman year playing backup quarterback in 1955 and 1956.

By the time Pookie was seventeen years old, he was honored as the “Most Valuable Player” on his team in 1957. He received All District and rushed for 1,000 yards.

By his senior year in 1958, Pookie was the “Most Outstanding Player”. He was selected to the Louisiana All State Team with a recognition of rushing for 1300 yards and scoring 25 touchdowns. The Morning Advocate dubbed him “Swivel Hips Babin” and gave him ½ page to full page coverage-picture and all.

After high school Pookie attended and received a degree from Baton Rouge Business College. He also attended Northwestern State University with a strong desire to play college football, but his strong will and hope was not enough; he was “too small”.

In 1962 Pookie met his bride to be, Connie Dowiatt. They were married July 18, 1964. He was proud of their almost 60 years of marriage. Also, he was extremely proud of being the father of two daughters, Pam and Trudy along with two sons, Michael ‘Mike’ and Keith. His five grandchildren, Brittnie, Brant, Chez, Rheesa, and Brylie and great grandson Ryker were the perfect additions to bring more joy to his life.

Throughout Pookie’s ‘Race in Life’, he was a business owner of Pookie’s Food Store for 20 years, a salesman for the Life Insurance Business for 5 years, and he valued the past 28 years of ‘selling cars’ for LeBlanc Nissan. He earned the title of “the GOAT” as well as The Legend from Nancy LeBlanc Bondy for sales at LeBlanc Nissan.

Pookie was grateful for the opportunity to serve his country in the US Army National Guard.

He was known and loved by many people as a generous, kind, and simple man. He cherished the relationships he kept with his classmates, the many Alabama football games, a trip to Ireland with Connie, numerous beach vacations, cruises, attending Family Worship Center, eating out at local restaurants, and the years he was a member of The Gonzales Lion’s Club and achieving ‘Lion of the Year’ in 1973.

As Pookie’s race was ending, he was blessed to have his family near along with Dr. London Guidry-Vascular Clinic, Dr. Jones Samuel and Dr. Mitchell Hebert-Renal Associates, Dr. Rory Panzerello-Baton Rouge General Internal Medicine, Dr. Breanna Campbell-Infectious Disease B.R. General and his nurses at Frensius Medical Care.

Pookie, YOU ran your race-Now, “Go Rest High on that Mountain!”

Sidney Louis Babin Jr, known by everybody as “Pookie” passed away on March 8, 2024 at the age 83. He was the most loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend to many. He was the devoted husband of Connie Dowiatt Babin. Dedicated father of Pam Babin Gautreau (David), Trudy Babin Haygood (Dr. Bolling), Michael “Mike” Babin and Keith Randal Babin. Proud grandfather of Brittnie Gautreau Perkins (Josh), Brant David Gautreau, Brylie Gautreau Caldarera (Cody), Rheesa Purpera Durbin (Cody) and Chez Michael Babin and his only great-grandson Ryker James Caldarera. He is preceded in death by his parents Sidney Babin Sr. and Inez Lanoux Babin; his siblings Laverne Babin Guidry, Donald Babin and Ronald “Pie” Babin and his nephew Troy Babin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to American Kidney Fund https://www.kidneyfund.org/give or Family Worship Center.

A visitation for Pookie will be held Friday, March 15, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Hwy, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737. A visitation will occur Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Family Worship Center in the Crossfire Building, 8919 World Ministry Ave, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, the funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM. A committal service will follow at Hope Haven Garden of Memory, 604 E. Hwy 30, Gonzales, Louisiana 70737. Expressions of sympathy can be left at www.OursoFh.com