Clarence Joseph Abadie

Clarence J Abadie, Jr (CJ) passed away peacefully on March 10, 2023 in Reserve, LA at the age of 88. He was born in New Orleans to Clarence J Abadie, Sr and Daisy Mae Abadie and raised in Norco, LA. His parents preceded him in death, as well as his sister, Sheila Gonor, and wife, Mary Anne Bradley Cook Abadie.

CJ is survived by his 3 sons from his previous marriage to Wantani Onwan; Lex (Marilou), Thai (Angelie), and Edward (Keiron Pratt); two granddaughters; one great grandchild; and siblings Catherine Trepagnier, and Richard Abadie, along with many nieces and nephews.

CJ graduated from Destrehan High School and then attended Southwestern Louisiana University (majoring in mechanical engineering), before deciding to pursue his love of flying. He joined the Navy's flight training program and became a Naval Aviator. He was commissioned upon graduation as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and became a helicopter pilot. He was ultimately stationed in Japan and prior to discharge from the Marines, the CIA came recruiting. Rather than return to Louisiana, he chose adventure, and landed in Southeast Asia prior to and during the Vietnam War. He began his 14 years in Southeast Asia as a Helicopter pilot in Vientiane, Laos with Air America, Inc. He also lived in Taipei, Taiwan while working at Civil Air Transport (CAT) and Air America Headquarters. He became the Vice President of the Northern Thailand Division of Air America in Udorn, Thailand and was there until August 1974. CJ and his three sons then returned to the US, but not before traveling around the world with stops in India, Kenya, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Egypt, Greece and Venezuela.

After arriving back in the US, CJ then finished his education at Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Professional Aviation and Management. He began his next chapter in management, working for companies, such as Northrop Worldwide Aircraft Services, Pan Am World Services, and retired from Johnson Controls. His adventurous spirit led him to live and work in Kwajalein, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Abu Dhabi, UAE and Andros Island, Bahamas.

CJ was passionate about his interests and hobbies and would continue until he was an expert. He had over 10,000 helicopter flying hours, and even built 2 helicopters and an ultralight aircraft which he flew from his home. He became a hot air balloon pilot, fixed wing pilot, and master scuba diving instructor. He was involved in falconry and raced homing pigeons, Harley Davidson motorcycles, classic cars, and Ham radio. His last big adventure was in a 50-foot houseboat that he purchased in Ft Lauderdale, Florida and sailed around the Florida Keys, up through the Gulf of Mexico, to Mobile, up the Tombigbee River to the Tennessee River, and to Goose Pond Marina in Scottsboro, Alabama. He accomplished that 30-day odyssey when he was 84 years old! He will be remembered by many as "The Most Interesting Man in America". Definitely a long life, lived to the fullest.

CJ requested no funeral or memorial service. He was buried at St Charles Borromeo Mausoleum in Destrehan, Louisiana.