Eugene Estes Tonguis, a staple in the small town of Lacombe, Louisiana, passed peacefully on Monday, July 15th, 2024, in his home surrounded by his loving family.

Gene, a U.S. Army veteran, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to George Joseph Tonguis and Pearl Ethel Moran on November 28, 1930.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jane Theresa Tonguis Duffour; his former wife, Betty June Tonguis; son, Anthony Barry Tonguis; son-in-law, Steven Zane Lowe; and great grandsons, Tristan Anthony Tonguis and Peyton Ross Simon.

He is survived by his loving wife, of 42 Years, Myung Sook "Susie" Tonguis; a sister Bonnie Ann Tonguis Cook; daughters Robin Jean Tonguis Gray (Mike), Jami Marie Tonguis Lowe, and Lisa Ann Tonguis (Scott); ten grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren, and six great great grandchildren.

Gene was an employee for Western Electric/AT&T for over forty years; a career that took him across the globe, often away from his family to countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea, the last of which brought him to the attention of his doting wife Susie.

Gene and Susie became an inseparable pair, and she was his perfect travel partner. Their trips ranged from weeks long cross-country national park excursions with their beloved grandchildren, to weekend road trips cheering on his beloved Tulane Green Wave football team. They remained active together.

Gene was also immensely active in his local community, most notably as a longtime, dedicated, and prolifically engaged parishioner of St John of the Cross Catholic Church. Gene bolstered a reputation he previously built as a mentor, sometimes even as a second father to dozens of young men in the Lacombe and Slidell region, a roll he humbly garnered as an athletics coach and as a stoic and recognizable pillar in his small town. He was a pillar that went by monikers such as Mr. Gene, or Mr. T or even Coach, but to his loving family he will always remain affectionately known as simply… Papaw.

Memorial Mass will be held at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church, 61051 Brier Lake Dr., Lacombe LA 70445, on Saturday August 3, 2024.

Visitation will begin at 9:00am, followed by the memorial mass at 10:00am.

A reception will follow in the hall at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church.