John Dale Lege

Abbeville- A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at 10:00AM at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Abbeville, LA, honoring the life of John Dale Lege, who passed away 08/26/2022 in Abbeville, LA at the age of 66 years old. He will be laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Reverend Louis J. Richard officiating the services. Pallbearers will be Adam Lege, Benjamin Lege, Thomas Lege, Colby Breaux, Jeffrey Kimball, and Christopher Baham. Honorary Pallbearers are Carlos Campos, Logan Broussard, Chad Broussard, Joshua Boudreaux, Turney Foreman, David Lege, Jacob Lege, Brandon Kimball, Ronin Baham, Steven Kimball, Christian Broussard, and Trevor Broussard.

John Dale was born in Abbeville on 10/09/1955 to John Harold Meaux and Sabel (Boudreaux) Touchet, and soon adopted by Preston and Ena (Breaux) Lege. He was a graduate of Abbeville High School, and shortly thereafter gained employment with the Vermilion Parish School Board where he worked until he retired. As a young man, John Dale was an avid participant in the arts, joining the AHS thespian society and teaching himself to play several traditional Cajun instruments including the accordion and harmonica. He was also an accomplished Black Belt in Karate, earning him the nickname Kung Fu among his peers.

In his adulthood, John Dale devoted himself to his wife and family, and to the teachings of the Catholic Church. He became active in the sports lives of his children, while also imparting on them his love and talents in music, film, and the stage. He regularly watched the live Cajun music broadcast from Randol’s restaurant and played along with the musicians, while his children two-stepped around their living room. Every Sunday morning, he could be found occupying a long pew of St. Mary Magdalen church with his wife and 9 children. He also shared his wisdom with many youths, teaching Catechism classes through the church.

From an early interest in Buddhism and his commitment to the community of the Catholic Church, John Dale became a thoughtful, easy going, hard-working friend to anyone in need. He taught patience and restraint in conflict, and self-sacrifice for others. He joined the Family Life Community with several local families and tirelessly strove to lead a Christ-like life. Whether it was for friends, family, neighbors, or anyone in his community, John Dale never turned down a request for help and often opened his home to those in need. His attitude toward others was apparent in his greetings to all, offering “Peace, and everything good” to everyone he met.

John Dale is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Charlene (Foreman) Lege of Meaux; children, Adam Lege of Maurice, Benjamin Lege (Beth) of Meaux, Melanie Campos (Carlos) of High Springs, FL, Sarah Kimball (Jeff) of Gulf Breeze, FL, Ann Francis Lege (Joshua Boudreaux) of Erath, Theresa Lege (Chad Broussard) of Meaux, Thomas Lege (Ashley) of Maurcie, Suzanna Baham (Christopher) of Broussard, and Gabrielle Broussard (Logan) of Maurice; 17 grandchildren, David, Jacob, Mary, Sophia, Sagan, Madison, Brandon, Aubrie, Bailey, Lucy, Malin, Alex, Lira, Molly, Ronin, Peyton, and Caroline; step-grandchildren, Steven, Megan, Alexia, Christian, and Trevor; sisters, Donna Alston (Billy) of Abbeville, Susie Gates of Houston, TX, Jeanette Meaux of Abbeville, Olivia Engleder (Mark) of Houston, TX; brother, Shane Touchet (Lauren) of Eunice; and brother-in-law, Turney Foreman of Lafayette

He is preceded in death by his parents, Preston and Ena Lege, and John Harold Meaux and Sabel Touchet; parents-in-law, Mervine and Viola (Trahan) Foreman; sister, Patricia Broom; brother, John Harold (Bubba) Meaux, Jr.; infant grandson, Shane Broussard; spiritual mentor, Vincent Listi; and best friend, Lynn Broussard.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, August 31, 2022 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 6:30 PM; Thursday, September 1, 2022, 8:00 AM until the procession will depart for the church at 9:45AM.

John Dale’s family would like to thank the incredible staff at Vermilion Health Care for the love, kindness, and generous attention shown to him in the last year, and also thanks everyone who has kept him in their prayers for the many years of his full life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Christian Service Center located at 701 Chevis Street, Abbeville, LA 70510.