Jude Ronald Chatelain, Sr

Jude Ronald Chatelain, Sr., a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at the age of 86.

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

A proud alumnus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Jude remained a lifelong Ragin’ Cajun. After successfully running his own business for thirty-five years, he spent a joyful retirement with the Louisiana Department of Tourism, where he served as an ambassador of the state’s unique French culture. He took special pride in being the point of contact for French-speaking visitors, from tourists to dignitaries.

He will be remembered as a gifted storyteller whose love of the written word lives on in his published book, Graines de Parasol, a collection of short stories written in French. Family and friends will forever cherish the vivid characters he brought to life through the oral tradition, often sharing his tales in French with warmth and animation. The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by Hospice of Baton Rouge and the devoted caregivers at Zachary Manor, especially Erika Carr and Diamond “Liz” Smith.