I was in the Marines with Jesse with the 1st Btln 9th Marines aboard the USS New Orleans (Special Landing Force Bravo),  He was the "cool cat" of  our unit.  Always fun and never afraid of anything or anybody.....
I'm the one with the cigar.....Jesse lookin' cool as always

Eulogy for Jessie:
He had sayings for everything, we called them "Jessie-isms". Phrases like "Trying to fit New Orleans into Algiers" or, "Walking into the lion's den with a pair of pork chop drawers on" were common and we had no idea what he was saying. But he didn't care. He was trying to get a laugh because he loved making people laugh. 

Growing up, Daddy kept the good times rolling in our house. The music was always playing, cooking and grilling was always happening and the beer was always flowing. It was normal to have family over every weekend, for bbq's and swimming. 

He had the Father role locked down tight: Who did we call when the car was acting up? Daddy. Who did we yell for when there was a roach or yucky bug that needed killing? Daddy. Who checked the oil and tire pressure in our cars religiously? Daddy. 

When life handed Bambi or I lemons, he knew a damn good lemonade recipe. He was our rock. He never let us dwell on the bad stuff and always had an idea or suggestion to try and fix it - his way. He was the one dependable constant in our life and today, we tell him goodbye. 

We are grateful for his love and the lessons he taught us - what having faith looks like, that you can't take it with you when you go and never take life too seriously. 

We had the best Daddy in the world and we knew it! 
From his Buddha and his Ester - we love you, Daddy; we got this! 

June 21, 2019...Today we say goodbye. Though I do not want you to go because I will miss you, I know you are in a better place and free of pain. Please give momma a big hug from me and Seth. I love you both!

Before Hurricane Katrina, my grandfather, Jessie Varnado, used to pick me up from school. He would take my twin brother and I to the Quick Stop and let us each get two snacks and a drink. He'd usually get a few lottery tickets and as he'd pay for our loot he'd say "Ya can't take it with ya when ya die."

My grandfather knew in his heart of hearts, that there was more to life than money - like cooking, dancing, taking chances and making people laugh. He was the life of the party and a natural born jokester. When I was a baby, he convinced me that farts were called "pinnatoonees" and that a muffalatta was a knuckle sandwich. 

He kept a menagerie of stuffed animals in the back window of this cab and he called ice water "hobo soda". He has a Chalmette Owls cape, custom made, to support my cousin, Seth who plays in the band. 

He was a very proud man. He liked things to go his way, and he saw to it that they did, to the very end of his life. For example: he lent his girlfriend, Linda, his oxygen tank - that's the kind of guy he was: a lover. Heart as wide as the Mississippi is long.

I will miss his sunshiny demeanor, and all the raspberries. Most especially, I will miss him. 

I love you Pappy! 
-Strawberry aka Brianna

Where are the words? What are the words?  This man was definitely a one of a kind.  I remember the 1st time I met him I was terrified , i thought he was yelling and fussing at me  because of that deep loudness to his voice until he looked me in the eye winked and started to grin. Now keep in mind I had to be what 5 years old??  Since then i was always around him. My home a way from home.  Growing up in our neighborhood  and having these people in my life has been such a blessing.   Tons of great times...even the not so great  (waking up in water puddles camping etc..) Are cherished.  My 💔 for the family.  Condolences to you all.  I love you Bambi & Brandalyn ,don'tever forget that. Rest easy MR. JESSIE and give Ms. Laurie a big hug.
Love Always Your Stacey Mae/Mary Agnes

.

As the family crown gets passed down another rung, we carry on with love and strength in our hearts. Pappy was always the life of the party, armed with his witty one liners and loud outfits. Never one to camouflage himself into a crowd, speaking volumes in many ways. He was always a pillar of strength for everyone around him, as the night watch, as the attack coordinator for travel plans and through Katrina, as the gatekeeper of the barracks when we were a family camp, and in uncountably more ways. He did everything in his power to keep the family happy, healthy and comfortable in any situation; from his food, to the shirt off his back, to helping get a set of wheels. 

Pappy is one of the greatest men I have ever known, I am so proud to be your grandson and vow to carry on as a pillar of strength for the family in your name. 

Love ya Pap!! 
Gage

       United Cabs bids farewell to you Jessie. Your colorful charismatic personality has been missed since your retirement. 
You were "one of a kind". 
       Thank you for your many years of service to United Cabs. Our condolences to the entire Family. May God Bless. From our United Cabs Family to Yours.

This is the picture at the Paragon where everyone there thought we were husband and wife. He was Santa Claus and I was Mrs. Claus. We had to tell everyone that we were brother and sister. We did planned to get a shirt made with I am the brother and I am the sister, but we never did. I will definitely miss going with him and his crazy outfits. I love you my brother. Rest in Peace. You are now with Laurie, Mom, Dad and Larry. 

Early on we earned each other’s respect and for the last 25 years we have maintained a bond of trust most others wouldn’t understand. We’ve shared a love and devotion to our family and entrusted each other with their care. You were an example of dedication to those you love that I’ve tried my best to follow. From times spent chasing the worm in a bottle of tequila pool side (in spite of the girls’ protests), to sharing the watch overnight on the side of the road during evacuations while watching over those we love and waiting for fuel, to slipping off together for some culinary adventures that probably weren’t "approved" but a damn good time. Your support and encouragement was always apparent and I will always continue to care for those you loved in life in your honor. 

I love you Pop. 

Your son, Lawrence…


This picture of my brother is on one of our casino trips around Mardi Gras. Everyone always commented on his outfits. He had so much fun dressing up. I wish I could find the one we had for Christmas of him and me. They called him Santa Claus and me Ms. Claus. I had to tell them I was his sister. Then they started flirting with him. I truly loved those trips and I will miss him so much. Love you my brother. 

"Jessie-isms" ...This is what we called his sayings and man did he have a lot of them. Brandi and I grew up on Jessie-isms so we learned to decode them and even use a few. Some of my favorites... you wanna dance to the music than you have to pay the piper, barnyard strutter, and can't is a coward too lazy to try...

What can i say about the best grandpa in the world .Well starters he was the life of any party he even made going to a casino with me rather interesting given the fact i could not do anything there. Our explorations allways lead to something new i will never forget the margaritaville trip and that spooky little bike shop that we stumbled upon. Those every weekend trips to toysrus .But what i will miss most is the Witty humor and all the smart respones and of course the extravagant outfits you had. But the good thing is ive got those traits now and i also have the most important job you left me which is watching after your three girls and i wont let you down. 

       Love, Indiana


Growing up with Jessie & the Family was so much fun,  uptown & picnics at Audubon Park.  A wonderful memory of Jessie as a taxi driver too.  Rest In Peace cuz. Our Deepest Sympathy to Jessie’s Family 

I was 10 when Jessie came.into my life. A Saturday morning when he was.cutting his grass. Music - disco music at that- loudly.playing in this little conservative neighborhood. 😊. I thought it was cool, because no one else in our block did that. They wouldn't dare😂. I walked over. He asked me " what's ya name lil girl?" With that deep voice.  Gave me a freezie pop. Bambi wasn't here yet. Didn't matter. He took me as his own. The rest is history. He has been loud in my life most times. Quiet during others.  When I moved back home in 2011 it was Jessie who looked at me , and said "I'm bringing you home." That meant something to the both of us for many reasons. I always knew he was there though. I will miss the simple.fact - the knowing that he isn't riding in his red truck up, and down 55.  Instead he's hanging out with those he so deeply loved that went before him. That makes me happy for him.  Jessie is , and always will be awesome in my life. He's my "faux dad." Love you Jess. Always💞✨

He was my rock for the last 11 years. He picked up the pieces and helped me with Seth. He was always there when I needed him. I love you, Daddy. 

My favorite memory of Jessie was on St. Patrick's Day a couple of years ago. We had a girls' trip with Sharon to Baton Rouge and Jessie came and met us at the L'Auberge Casino. He showed up all decked out in his St. Paddy's Day green along with a large St. Paddy's hat with rods jutting out from both sides and hanging on the rods were about 6-8 pair of women's sexy lingerie!!  He rocked that hat, too, and had all of us women laughing!!  It was a very fun day that I will always remember! I am so sorry for your family's loss. Prayers and comfort to all of you. 

Nicknames, you say? My daughter got his red hair so he called her Strawberry. He was so thrilled to finally have a red-head. 

But nobody’s nickname beats mine - Buddha and sometimes, Buddhanada, depending on his mood. He rarely used my name even into adulthood. 
My husband got a Buddha tattoo because of Jessie’s name for me. 

Here's a visit to Texas. Some of my best childhood memories where with Jessie, Laurie, Brandi and Bambi. 

These are the times I remind most. My nickname was always Texas. I don't think Jessie called me anything else. Love you, Jessie. 💗 "Texas"

Nicknames....My dad gave us nicknames. Some of them make sense and like my dad some of them do not.  Esta the Molesta, Indy, Bean, Bubba, Princess, Mary Agnes and Granny Smith to name a few. 

Jessie sat next to me in a class in high school, I believe it was math. He was so nice to me. Never a rude word, never unhappy. Always found the time to tell me hello and just be VERY nice. May he be rewarded in heaven

I never met a man, who could scare you and make you feel at ease, at the same time. Mr. Jessie was that man! I clearly remember the way he loved Mrs. Lauralyn and his daughters and his family. He was a snazzy dresser and made the best salsa and beef jerky! A proud Veteran who was easy to love! Rest easy, Sir! Semper Fi!!!!!!

P.S. I planted my first Habanero plant after I heard of your passing. I’ve been wanting to do that for years!  

My brother I will miss you so much but will always remember the good times we had going to the Casinos. The ladies in Baton Rouge loved the hat you wore with the dangling panties that you caught in the parades. The ladies on the bus to Paragon will miss seeing you in the crazy outfits you always wore. You always made people laugh especially the girls at the Island View when you asked them for a Hobo Soda. They looked puzzled until you told them what it was. I do not know how I am going to get by without hearing your voice every day but when I get sad, I will remember the good times. Rest in Peace my brother, You are gone but will never be forgotten. Love you, Hugs and Kisses.

OBITUARY

Jessie D. Varnado Jr.

May 2, 1950 – June 2, 2019

St. Bernard Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens

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