Memorial Trees
A
Anonymous
November 29, 2024
R
Rob & Lauryn Gordon
November 27, 2024
Memorial trees planted for:
Father Joseph Ardell Bordelon
<p>Funeral services for The Reverend Canon Joseph “Joe” Ardell Bordelon will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church officiated by The Right Reverend Jacob Owensby, assisted by Very Reverend Rich Snow, and Deacon Brian Warner. Interment will follow in Alexandria Memorial Gardens under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.</p><p><br></p><p>Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, November 29, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.</p><p><br></p><p>Father Joe Bordelon was born on June 23, 1933, and peacefully passed from this life in his sleep on Monday, November 25, 2024, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Alexandria.</p><p><br></p><p>Joe is preceded in death by his parents, Pierre Morris and Mary Jackson Bordelon; and his siblings, Paul Bordelon, Roland Bordelon, and Morris Bordelon.</p><p><br></p><p>As a young man in Alexandria, Louisiana, Joe served as an Altar Boy at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. He also began learning valuable skills working as a busboy in the kitchen of Hotel Bentley. His love of the Lord and cooking served him well in his life. He joined the United States Air Force and was shipped to Payne Field, Seattle, Washington where he served as a cook. Although he returned to Alexandria upon the untimely death of his father in 1952, he had met Grace Johnson, a beautiful lady from Everett, Washington. Joe and Grace were married in the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse on March 8, 1954. Joe became a manager of Holiday Inn in Baton Rouge and later transferred to the Holiday Inn on MacArthur Drive in Alexandria. The restaurant was legendary for its delicious meals and festive occasions, Joe served as manager for over 23 years.</p><p>Joe and Grace attended the Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge where they befriended the priest, Rev. Willis Henton, who later became the first Bishop of the Diocese of Western Louisiana. After moving back to Alexandria, the Rev. Dr. Benjamin English was instrumental in supporting Joe in his discernment process as Joe served in various roles as a Lay Reader and Lay Eucharistic Minister. Eventually, Joe felt called to Holy Orders and was ordained by Bishop Henton as a Deacon and Priest in the Episcopal Church in 1989. For decades, Father Joe faithfully served Trinity Episcopal Church in Cheneyville, Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Lecompte and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Oakdale. He served at St. Timothy’s Church in Alexandria as well as St. Michael’s in Pineville.</p><p><br></p><p>In 1980, Father Joe became the Director of Camp Hardtner, the Episcopal Church Camp in Pollock, Louisiana. He served as the director for 16 years and watched it flourish in its Summer Camp Programs, Cursillo weekends, and Diocesan events.</p><p>He loved his churches, cooking and traveling with his wife, Grace. He especially enjoyed the many trips spent with her siblings, Calvin, Lorraine, Ellsworth and their wonderful families in the Pacific Northwest.</p><p><br></p><p>Joseph was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who will be dearly missed.</p><p><br></p><p>Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory include his wife of 70 years, Grace L. Bordelon; their six children, Gary Bordelon (Wanda), Kevin Bordelon (Judy), Diane McMickens (Trent), Rev. Andrè Bordelon (Rose), Chris Bordelon (Colleen) and Armand Bordelon (Catherine); his grandchildren, Cindy Herndon (Brian), Sherry Bordelon, Rev. Michael Bordelon (Lauren), Catherine Gauthier (Tyler), Grace Velotta (Blake), Diamond McMickens (Marshall Dunn), Shannon Davidson (Tim), James Bordelon (Sawyer), Bruce Bordelon (Sydney), Mary Bordelon, Ian Bordelon, Allison Bordelon, and Ryan Bordelon; fourteen great grandchildren, and numerous extended family members.</p><p><br></p><p>The family would like to thank the angels of Passages Hospice and Brookdale Assisted Living for all of the care and compassion they have shown Father Joe during their time together. He loved each and every one of you.</p><p><br></p><p>In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent in memory of Father Joe Bordelon to the Camp Hardtner Scholarship Fund at 2393 Camp Hardtner Road, Pollock, LA 71467; or to a charity of the donor’s choice.</p><p><br></p>June 23, 1933 - November 25, 202406/23/193311/25/2024
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