Ralph W. JARREAU

Jarreau, Ralph W. "Do Do" A 75-year resident of Baton Rouge and Central, he died at 2:20 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005, at his home as a result of lung cancer. He retired as an insulator with Local 53, working at Exxon Baton Rouge for many years. After retirement, he became a Louisiana motor vehicle inspector at Central State Inspection Station. He had a love for listening to music of all kinds. He liked playing his drums, cooking in his cook house, gardening, tracking the weather and enjoying time with his family, who affectionately called him "Do Do" or "Paw Paw." He was known to local ham operators as K5DOO and was a member of the Baton Rouge Amateur Radio Club. His inquisitiveness to always learn more, his smiling grin and his ability to never meet a stranger will be missed by many. He left us with two poignant, simple pieces of advice to live by. The first, if you smoke -- Quit! Secondly, just take life one day at a time. Visiting at Greenoaks Funeral Home 9595 Florida Blvd., from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21. Visiting at the funeral home chapel from 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, until religious service at 2 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Calvin Crowe of Cane Market Road Baptist Church. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Ethel E. Jarreau; son, Prentis "Butch" Pearson and wife Barbara; daughter Linda J. Allen and husband Ernest Allen; daughter, Kathey A. Jarreau and fiancé William Dale Rigby; brother, Charles "Bee" Jarreau and wife Audrey; grandchildren, Shelly Pearson Domiano, Stacey Pearson, Ben Pearson, Amie Allen Crowe, Duane Allen, Rebecca Allen and Jason Allen; and 15 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Frank and Mary Elizabeth Jarreau; and a sister, Margaret Conrad. A special thank you to Deborah Abernathy, M.D., and her support staff. The assistance provided by Hospice of Baton Rouge and Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge was a blessing and instrumental in allowing him to be at home during his illness. The family urges your support of their cause to help other families in the Baton Rouge area. Memorial donations accepted at Hospice of Baton Rouge, 9063 Siegen Lane, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810-1951 or Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, 550 Lobdell Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Published in The Advocate on 1/21/2005.