James Thomas de Lauréal

November 30, 1948 - January 11, 2021

James Thomas de Lauréal passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 in Baton Rouge Louisiana. He was the beloved son of May Fisher Percy de Lauréal and Henry Howard de Lauréal (Capt. USN). Jim was born on November 30th,1948 in Miami, Florida and as the child of a naval officer he lived in many places. The home light always burned brightest at his grandparents home Greenwood Plantation in West Feliciana Parish.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and brother Stephen Philip de Lauréal.

He is survived by his son Ryan James de Lauréal and his wife Alejandra Ahtziri Sandoval Hernandez of Portland Oregon. Jim is also survived by his sister Mary Cleland de Lauréal Owen and her husband C. B. Owen, III of St. Francisville, LA, a nephew Howard Wade Owen (Bernadette Nebus), a niece Meg Owen DeJean (Derek) two great-nieces Molly Anne and Eleanore Owen DeJean and many loving cousins.

Jim graduated from Norfolk Catholic High School in Norfolk, Virginia and he received his degree from the University of Louisiana Lafayette majoring in soil science.

For thirty plus years he made his career working for the Federal Bureau of Land Management in Carson City Nevada. Much of his work was focused on the reclamation of the land from mine waste, the recovery of lands after major fires and the eradication of invasive plant species. Jim loved the wide-open spaces of the west, the vistas and mountains. He was a passionate and serious practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, in which he found peace and meaning. In recent years he revisited his love of literature and creative writing, receiving the award for best short story from the High Sierra Writers Group in 2014, for his story “Pale Stars”. The night sky was his other passion and Jim owned several telescopes he used to study and enjoy the beauty of the western sky. In retirement Jim moved back to West Feliciana to share the love and support of family.

We wish to thank Dr. Chaille Daniel for his forthright advice and care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 1249, St. Francisville, LA. or to the Chagdud Gonpa Foundation, Attn: Donations, P.O. Box 279, Junction City, CA.

A celebration of Jim’s life will take place at a later date. Share sympathies, memories, and condolences at www.CharletFuneralHome.com.