James "Jimmy" Chatelain

James “Jimmy” Chatelain, was born in New Orleans on September 1, 1942. He passed away at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at the age of 81, surrounded by his loving family. Jimmy grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Church. After high school, he joined the Air Force and was later employed by Boeing Aircraft, as a part of the Apollo 11 Mission. Jimmy and his friends were crew members of the El Toro boat racing team. This is when he met Kathy, was married, and started a family. Jimmy was blessed with 4 children, and 9 grandchildren that all adored him. James opened Die/Tech over 35 years ago, where he serviced bank equipment in the Greater New Orleans area. His hobbies included hunting and fishing, but his true love was restoring antique slot machines and classic automobiles. He enjoyed spending time at car shows and cruise nights, talking about his cars, and listening to the “Oldies”. Jimmy was truly a blessed man, as were the people who knew him.

Jimmy was the beloved husband of 58 years to Kathy Chatelain. Son of the late Plainy Paul Chatelain and Elise Lacombe Chatelain. Loving father of Tracy Chatelain Simoneaux (Mark), Kim Chatelain Groetsch (Kirk), Kelly Chatelain Monroe (Jeff) and Troy Chatelain. Adoring grandfather of Matthew Simoneaux (Valerie), Jacob Serrett (Anna), Alec Serrett, Benjamin Simoneaux, Kyle Groetsch, Sydney Chatelain, Kole Groetsch, Ava Serrett and Camryn Chatelain.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., in New Orleans, on Friday, March 8, 2024 at 1:00PM. A visitation to begin at 10:00AM until service time. Interment will follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, memories and condolences at www.lakelawnmetairie.com