Iray Ledoux

Iray Ledoux passed away on January 2, 2024 at the age of 91. He was born in Opelousas, LA on August 23, 1932 to Etta & Yves Ledoux. Iray graduated from AIC Catholic High School in Opelousas and received a sports scholarship to USL in Lafayette, however his education was interrupted due to his enlistment in the US Air Force / Korean War. It is while in the Air Force that he gained aircraft / aviation experience, which led to a lifelong career in the aviation industry. While in the military he was able to continue college and received a degree in Aeronautics. In addition he attended and completed many courses at the Southwest Texas Teachers college in San Marcos, Texas as well as Louisiana State University.

After his military commitment Iray was a helicopter mechanic with PHI in Lafayette, LA. While in Lafayette he met his wife (Lorena Cali Ledoux) on a blind date. The two got married on July 24, 1955. They had two sons (Marque and Craig) and built a long and happy life together for 60 years until the love of his life made her Heavenly journey home on June 29, 2015.

Iray was an airplane mechanic in Patterson, LA from 1956 to 1973 at which time he and his family relocated to Baton Rouge for a position he was appointed to by then Governor, Edwin Edwards. He served as the Deputy Assistant to the Secretary in the Office of Aviation for the State of Louisiana. In 1977 the Baton Rouge Mayor and Council appointed him as the Director over the Baton Rouge Airport in which he served in this capacity until 1995. While at the airport he supervised all facets of administration, management, maintenance and operations of the airport facility. During his tenure he managed millions of dollars in capital improvements at the airport and handled contract negotiations. In addition he developed one of the first noise mitigation programs enacted by the Federal Aviation Administration in the Southern region.

Upon his retirement from the airport in 1995 Iray formed his own company specializing in land acquisition and noise mitigation. In 2005 he sold his company to a national company specializing in the same and remained working until 2017 at which time he fully retired at the age of 85.

In addition to the above he was a licensed real estate broker in the state of Louisiana and held a private pilot license. He served on the board of directors of airport council international from 1989 to 1992. He was also a member and served on many of the aviation association boards throughout the United States. He received numerous awards and special mentions with the most recent being presented to him in December 2023 from the Louisiana Airport Manager’s and Associates for the Emeritus Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to LAMA and Louisiana Aviation.

Iray was very fortunate that he and his wife had the opportunity to travel the world extensively. They made many memories during their travels and enjoyed sharing them with friends and family. Iray had a strong faith in God and always looked forward to attending mass at St. Joseph Cathedral of which he was both a member and avid supporter.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Lorena Cali Ledoux; mother and father, Etta and Yves Ledoux of Opelousas, LA; sisters, Beulah Landreneau of Ville Platte, LA and Barbara Manuel of Baton Rouge; as well as countless relatives and friends.

He is survived by his two sons, Marque Ira Ledoux and wife Eleanor of Fredericksburg, VA and Michael Craig Ledoux of Baton Rouge; grandchildren, Jessica Ledoux of Richmond, VA and Alex Ledoux of Washington DC; and a grand dog, Jackie Ledoux of Baton Rouge. Iray has many relatives and friends all of whom will miss him deeply.

The family would like to thank Williamsburg Retirement Facility, Sunrise Retirement Facility and Hospice of Baton Rouge for the attentive and loving care they gave our father. In lieu of flowers please donate to St Jude Children’s Hospital; Memphis, TN or locally to St Joseph Cathedral, Baton Rouge, LA or Hospice of Baton Rouge.

Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815, on Saturday, January 13, 2024 from 2 pm until 6 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1011 1st St., Patterson, LA 70392, with a rosary being said at 10:30 am. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Please visit www.greenoaksfunerals.com to leave condolences to the family.