1935
2015
Loyce Maurice Varnado, Jr. died after a brief illness on April 13, 2015 in Kenner, Louisiana at the age of 79.
Maurice is survived by his wife Betty; children, Susan (Kimana) LeMaster, Stephen Varnado and Anne Elizabeth (Beth) Luca, their spouses Lisa, Ericka and Joby; brothers, Mathew, Paul, and Bruce; eight grandchildren, Brittany (husband Ray), Genna, Rosa, Bradley, Ethan, Andrew, Chloe and Ian; and two great-grandchildren, Christopher and Christian. He is preceded in death by his parents Loyce Maurice "Red" Varnado, Sr., and Margaret Atherton Privette, both of Bolivar, Louisiana; and his brothers, Penn (who died in infancy) and John.
Maurice was born on December 16, 1935 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in Amite, Louisiana and graduated from Amite High School in 1954. He attained a degree in Music Education from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1960 and spent a few years teaching at area schools in Tangipahoa Parish (Ponchatoula and Hammond), and Bossier Parish before moving to New Orleans, where he met Betty Rogers, a beautiful brunette from Lafayette, Louisiana. In 1967, he became the band director at St. Aloysius (now Brother Martin). Maurice directed the band program at Rummel High School from 1968 through 1978, after which he led the band programs at several Jefferson Parish schools, including John Ehret, West Jefferson and East Jefferson high schools.
Maurice was an accomplished musician, composer, teacher, and band director, whose marching band leadership produced several award-winning bands. Over the years he was involved with several marching band contests and festivals throughout the Gulf States, serving in the capacity of judge and board member. He also functioned as the Entertainment Director for Tulane University, and worked with the New Orleans Saints organization from 1990-1997 producing a variety of the Saints pregame and halftime shows. After retirement, he wrote several musical compositions, two of which have been published. One such composition, "The Green Brigade," has been used as the Ponchatoula High School graduation recessional since 2009.
Maurice was an extremely talented, intelligent, and charismatic individual who loved music, philosophy and history, and was also passionate about LSU sports, and the New Orleans Saints. He was a member of Celebration Church. He and Betty remained committed to each other and were married just shy of 48 years. His children remember him as a proud and loving father who always believed in them and encouraged them to pursue their goals.
All are invited to join the family in honoring and celebrating his life at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., near Clearview Pkwy., in Metairie on Saturday, May 9th, 2015 from 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a service at 1:00 p.m. Pastor Dennis Watson will officiate the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Tipitina's Foundation, a non-profit organization established to promote childhood music education, at tipitinasfoundation.org. The family would like to thank the medical team at Ochsner Kenner for their kindness and their dedicated care of him during his final weeks.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Deborah Bauman, Sister-in-Law.
June 21, 2015
Buddy W.
May 13, 2015
Denise (Thibodeaux) Chan
Michelle Thibodeaux and I (her Mom) would have been at the sevices, but I am on every 8 hour IVs. We are keeping him and the whole Varnado family are in our prayers. He was such a wonderful man!
May 11, 2015
Deborah Bauman
Maurice was such a blessing to me and my aged parents when he graciously welcomed them into his home and became their caregiver. Not only is it very selfless to care for ones in-laws, but to meet the high demands of one with dementia and one with COPD and other ailments demonstrates what a huge heart he had. He showed them love and respect, even when they were extremely difficult. I know firsthand the strain put on a household and a marriage when caring for family and I will always be grateful to him, Betty and Brittnay for taking this burden from me. I am confident that he was told as he reached the pearly gates "well done my good and faithful servant".
May 10, 2015
Betty Varnado
Reflecting on the amazing, wonderful memories of my husband this morning as we commemorated his life yesterday and learned so much more about the magnitude of his influence outside of the life we shared with him. Thanks to all who shared with us about what he meant to you.
May 9, 2015
Gale York
Maurice and I worked together and were roommates. We kept in touch over the past 45+ years. Talked about many things. We always remember each other's birthdays as we were a few days apart, and they came at Christmas time.
I'll miss my friend a lot. I'm glad we did get a chance to talk that last time a day or so before his death. Really good memories from all we shared.
May 9, 2015
Shanelle Lassalle
Mr.Varnado was an amazing man and a very talented band director.Rest in peace and keeping your family in my prayers.
May 9, 2015
Jody Converse
My condolences during this very difficult time.
May 3, 2015
Jimmy C Roland
Was a great Band Director, and Mentor, we will never forget what he taught us, RIP, till we play again in eternity
May 3, 2015
Beth, Ms. Betty, and Family, You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Monica Martinez
April 27, 2015
To the Varnado Family, Thanks for sharing Maurice with us. He helped so many children at EJ. We miss him and LOVE him.
Thanks,
Jimmy Kytle (Principal)
April 22, 2015
Guy Wood
Maurice was a good friend. My condolences to his family.
April 22, 2015
Johanna Bowman
Dear Betty and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Maurice's passing. I so enjoyed his visits by phone and in my home over the past few years. He was one of our favorite cousin's and we will truly miss him. I love to hear his stories and he had a way of bringing so many people together with his music and friendship. You are in our thougths and prayers. Love to all, Johanna Varnado Bowman and the Varnado Family of Amite, Louisiana.
April 20, 2015
Danny Brewer
Mr. Varnado and I had a special relationship as we repaired the family cars at my business, but we also talked a lot of sports as I write for a local paper here in Tennessee. We always shared a lot of laughs and he provided me with more wisdom than he will ever know. He was a shining light in my life and I will always carry with me some of the stories he shared. We still kept in touch after he went home to Louisiana and that meant what I had hoped from the first day we met...we were friends!
April 18, 2015
Lizz Rossi
The world is a little darker without his light. He will be missed by so many. My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones, may they find peace during this difficult time. Sending much love to you all.
April 17, 2015
Julie LeMaster
May you all find comfort in happy memories!
April 17, 2015
I will be praying for the family. He is now living with GOD.
Carolyn Talbert
April 17, 2015
James Roach
I though of Mr Varnado every time I hear a Chuck Manjione song played. I remember his arranging for the Rummel Band to see him in concert in New Orleans. It was one of my fondest memories of those years. My time under his tootiliage was a very enjoyable one.
My Prayers go out to his family at this time of loss, and my hope that God is putting Mr Varnado's musical tallents to work directing that heavenly music at the Pearly Gates.
April 17, 2015
Eric Scivicque
He was my mentor, my band director but most of all he was a FRIEND. I was 16 years old and still wet behind the ears when I first met Dr. V @ John Ehret High School 1978. I will cherish what he taught me as a young man both on and off the field. I know he accomplished what GOD set out for him to do.
April 17, 2015
Ronnie & Sally Reames
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
April 17, 2015
James Roach
I though of Mr Varnado every time I hear a Chuck Manjione song played. I remember his arranging for the Rummel Band to see him in concert in New Orleans. It was one of my fondest memories of those years. My time under his tootiliage was a very enjoyable one.
My Prayers go out to his family at this time of loss, and my hope that God is putting Mr Varnado's musical tallents to work directing that heavenly music at the Pearly Gates where I hope one day to see him again
April 17, 2015
Lisa Kopko Sewell
April 17, 2015
Cynthia Sarver
It's so difficult to lose a loved one. My prayers and love are with you all. <3
April 17, 2015
Kimana LeMaster
Love you Dad
April 17, 2015
Tom Becker
Mr. Varnado was an outstanding educator whose pre-performance pep talks would rival those of the greatest coaches in history. He demanded excellence, issued character-building challenges, and knew how to get his bands to perform to their maximum capability. Beyond this, he knew all of his students very well, and he treated them with enormous respect. He also had a wonderful sense of humor. He was one of that great team of ARHS teachers who changed my life. May he rest with the peaceful sounds of eternal jazz. . .with a march every now and then to liven things up. Class of '74
April 16, 2015
Denise Chan
Maurice was so much more than a great band director, he was a mentor to the band members, a wonderful role model, a wonderful husband and father, and one of my best friends through both of my daughters, Michelle and Suzie Thibodeaux, being lucky enough to be in his band. I last spoke with Maurice around Christmas when I called him by mistake (thinking I was calling my IRS Maurice) and asking him if I was transferring $50,000 or $60,000 to that account. We had a wonderful laugh and I will never forget seeing Beth singing in Nashville (by chance!) and then having lunch with him at Opryland. He will be missed greatly and I hope he will be a guardian angel as I try to raise 2 grandchildren at 61 years old. The Varnado family will be in my prayers! Denise (Thibodeaux) Chan
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