Obituary

John Joseph Gelpi, Jr. was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a devout catholic, charitable person and successful businessman. He loved cars,
traveling and sailing. He passed away on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at his home in
Madisonville, Louisiana. He was born to John and Ione (Braud) Gelpi in New Orleans, LA
on December 20, 1933. A graduate of St. Aloysius High School in 1952 and Loyola
University in 1957 with a B.S. in mathematics and physical education. In 1952 he joined
the US Army serving in the Missile Corps achieving the rank of Captain.
He is survived by his loving wife, Lynne Leyrer Gelpi, to whom he was married for 66
years. John is also survived by his six children, Leslie Gelpi, Jeanne (Tuppy) Pecot
(David, Jr.), John Gelpi III, Denise Ragan (Rickie), Annette McDougal (Billy), Christie
Perrin (Larry, Jr.). John has 17 grandchildren, Melissa, Christian and Caitlin Sarrat,
Jeannette and Suzanne Pecot, Jessyca, John IV, Jacob and Zachary Gelpi, Roch Ragan,
Chase and Alex McDougal, Larry III, Reid, Zoë, Macie and Carlie Perrin and 9 greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Virginia Gaudet and Paulette Hallford
and nieces, nephews, cousins, wonderful lifelong friends and business associates.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father, sister, Joan McGuay and daughter in law,
Wendy Gelpi.
He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
John was founder of Industrial Metals of the South from 1966 and remained owner until it
was sold in 1999 and an original stockholder in Aluminum & Stainless Inc. of Lafayette,
Louisiana. Mr. Gelpi was an owner of Industrial Leasing-Warehouse Complex and cofounder of Gulf Global Inc., exclusive distributors of Aquatech stainless steel shafts, and P
& M Supply, Inc., manufacturers and producers of stainless steel pump shafts. He was
also president and chief executive officer of UNA (A Division of Okura Trading Company)
from 1993-1995.
John served on the Board of Directors of Bank One, First National Bank of Commerce
Board of Directs and Director/Regent of Our Lady of Holy Cross College. He was named
Brother Martin’s Alumnus of the Year in 2000, ’52 St. Aloysius.
Throughout his life he was a member of various organizations including the Southern
Yacht Club, the Pontchartrain Yacht Club, the Plimsoll Club, the Tally-Ho Hunting &
Fishing Club, the Krewe of Pontchartrain, the Krewe of Bacchus, Knights of Columbus,
parishioner of St. Anselm Catholic Church, YMCA-Lee Circle, Franco’s, and Brady Island
Homeowner’s Association.
The family expresses their deepest gratitude to the care provided by Janice McKinnon,
LaKenya Walker and St. Tammany Parish Hospital Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Gelpi may be made to https://marianites.a
pp.neoncrm.com/forms/the-marianites or https://www.saintjosephabbey.com/donate
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Joseph Abbey, 75376
River Rd., St. Benedict, LA 70457 on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at 2:00 PM with visitation at
the Abbey beginning at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow in St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The family
invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding
Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.