Jude Ronald "Ronnie" Chatelain Sr.

Jude Ronald Chatelain, Sr, a resident of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026. He was 86 years old.

He was a native of Mansura, LA, and the only child of Mamie and Amet Chatelain. A devoted husband to Joan Doucet Chatelain for sixty-one years and beloved father to four children: Renée (Kevin Lyle) of New York, NY, Michael (Angie Torres) of Denham Springs, LA, Jude Jr. (Andi Lamana) of Baton Rouge, LA, and Charles of Los Angeles, CA. He was a grandfather to five cherished grandchildren: Heather (Eddy), Cameron (Kayla), Brandon (Jenny), Michael, and Joseph. He was great grandfather to Cooper Jude, Kamille Claire, and Gertie Taylor.

An alum of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, he remained a proud Ragin’ Cajun. After running his own business for thirty five years, he joyfully spent his retirement with the Louisiana Department of Tourism, serving as an ambassador of our unique French culture in Louisiana. He was the proud point of contact for French speaking visitors – from tourists to dignitaries.

He will be dearly remembered as a storyteller. His love of the written word is memorialized in his published book Graines de Parasol, a collection of short stories, written in French. His love of oral tradition will be cherished by generations of family and friends, who will forever remember the vivid and dynamic characters he created, and spoke about, in his stories – often times in French.

The family extends sincere thanks to Hospice of Baton Rouge, and the devoted and loving caregivers at Zachary Manor, especially Erika Carr and Diamond “Liz” Smith, for their constant compassion and kindness.

Religious services will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Church on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Visitation will begin at 9AM, with a mass immediately following at 10AM.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Edith Garland Dupré Library at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette: UL Lafayette Edith Garland Dupre Library c/o the UL Lafayette Foundation, PO Box 44290, Lafayette, LA 70504, or online at: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/54760/donations/new?designation=edithgarlandduprelibrary&