Ewell James Bordelon Sr., 94

Mr. Ewell James Bordelon Sr., 94, (also sometimes referred to as "U", "UL", or "EJ") was born on August 13, 1927, to the union of Manuel and Irene Laprairie Bordelon in Marksville, La. He returned to our heavenly home on Sunday, May 29, 2022. He was currently a resident of Valley View Nursing Facility in Mansura and a life long resident of the Blue Town Community.
Services are under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Marksville and viewing will be held Friday, June 3, 2022, beginning with visitation at 9am -11:30am, Catholic service in the Hixson Brothers Chapel at 11:30am followed by a military burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery #2.
He joined those who proceeded in him in death, his wife of 72 years, Delta Bernard Bordelon, his son and daughter in law, Dyron and Mary Rebecca "Becky" Bordelon, his daughter, Charlene Bordelon Kelone, his parents, and his two sisters, Juliette Bordelon Normand and Del Marie Bordelon Galland, and his brothers Stanley Bordelon Sr, and Eugene "Luther" Bordelon, all of Marksville.
Those left to cherish his memory are his children Cynthia Bordelon (Mitch) Turner of Gonzales, La.,Ewell "Dogie" Bordelon Jr. of Marksville, Stephanie Bordelon (Edward) Rowe of Prairieville, La., and Lisa Bordelon (Dale) Dauzat of Marksville. His grandchildren, Stacey Kelone Elmer (Rick) and Jill Kelone (David) Hooper of Alexandria, Derek Kelone of Austin, TX, Emily Dauzat (Cody) Holden of Alexandria, and Jacob Rowe of Prairieville. Two great grandchildren, Ethan Elmer and Camille Holden of Alexandria and a sister, Ellene Paul of Marksville.
He was the oldest of six children and the leader of their brood. His parents depended heavily on him until their death. He always lived next door to them and raised his family in close connection with their paternal grandparents. He was Valedictorian of his 8th grade class but unfortunately had to end his education to help his parents on the family farm. Once he reached his majority he joined the US Navy during WW II and was stationed in San Diego, CA, assigned to the USS Sphinx. He served until the end of conflict with most of his time being assigned to the road construction crew in Guam. He was awarded the Asiatic Ribbon and Victory Ribbon.
After returning home he had various adventures before settling down and getting married. Once a man was traveling through town and asked to borrow money. Not knowing him but being the kind hearted person he was he loaned him the money based on collateral. All the man owned was a spider monkey which Ewell gladly accepted on hold for the money until the man could pay him back. The man returned one year later to pay him and retrieve the monkey. There were many stories he related to his children about the monkey especially that his mother hated it in the house. He also was the manager of a band. Although he was not musically talented, he did own a car. So he and his friends formed a band and he became the manager and was paid for his services with beer.
When he decided to settle down he married the love of his life, Delta Bernard in 1948, and had his first two children. He was reactivated during the Korean conflict and re-stationed in San Diego. Before being deployed, the conflict ended and he returned home. He then was honorably discharged from the Navy.
His first and only real love on this earth was farming. No matter if he held two other jobs, he farmed most of his life. He raised cotton and soybeans then later cattle. He was a good carpenter and built his first family home. He also worked in logging. Then in 1965 he began employment with Baker Mfg in Pineville,
LA. By this time he had five children and a wife to support. He settled into his job as a career and worked there 25 years. He had one more child after beginning his employment there, totally six children who love him dearly. After retiring from Baker Mfg. he began contract employment as a carpenter with the FHA. He and his wife worked as a team cleaning and remodeling foreclosed homes along with his brother in law. All this came to an abrupt end at age 74 when he strained his back resulting in a ruptured disc. He could no longer perform the work he loved so much including farming. He remained retired living at home until 2017 when he along with his wife chose to enter Valley View Nursing facility. This August would have made five years he resided there.
His family dearly loved him, His many friends and family enjoyed hunting at the camp and fishing at Toledo Bend with him. He always included his parents in all he did and enjoyed having an old time boucherie'. He loved watching baseball from the comfort of his recliner. He never spanked any of his children, but he was very good at reverse psychology! He was a good provider and a very good man in general. His children will miss him so very much.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you perform a random act of kindness and/or have a beer in his name.