Joseph Arlington "Joe P" Perrault, Jr.

Joseph Arlington Perrault, Jr. “Joe P”, a long time Baton Rouge attorney, died June 21st from complications of pneumonia and heart failure. He was born May 20, 1944, a native of New Orleans and a 1962 graduate of Cor Jesu. He entered the University of Mississippi in fall 1962, pledging Kappa Sigma and was named Outstanding Pledge. He earned a Business Administration degree, majoring in Advertising, and was a member of Delta Sigma Pi and Pi Sigma Epsilon. After graduating from Ole Miss in 1966 he entered the LSU Law School, obtaining a Juris Doctor degree in 1969. While in law school he served as proctor of an athletic dorm. He practiced in Baton Rouge over 55 years, specializing in civil law, particularly enjoying real estate related matters. In 1973-74, he served as President of the Baton Rouge Junior Bar Association (now Young Lawyers Section). He won a statewide title insurance producer award for underwriting the sale of Nottaway Plantation. He was proud to count multiple 50 plus and 40 plus year clients while still practicing law at 80 years of age. He served as president of numerous organizations including the Baton Rouge chapter of the Ole Miss Alumni Association, Baton Rouge Kappa Sigma Alumni, the Catholic High School Men’s Club and Chair of the Board of the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center serving many years on the loss team.

He enjoyed many hobbies for many years, some of which appeared to his family to be part-time occupations. He was an avid duck hunter, which led to a long involvement with Ducks Unlimited locally, including serving as Chair of the Baton Rouge Duck’s Unlimited Sponsor Banquet and as Chair of the Baton Rouge Chapter of Ducks Unlimited. He also enjoyed big game hunting and fishing.

He learned to scuba dive and then became an assistant under water instructor and accomplished under water photographer, jaunting to many far away places to dive. He was a vegetable gardener, having spring and fall gardens for over 40 years. He was a terrible golfer but loved the game nonetheless. Most of all, he enjoyed cooking and trying new and varied recipes and thankfully was better at that than most everything else.

Being from New Orleans he was always a big fan of Mardi Gras and any and all kinds of Mardi Gras parties. He became a member of the YATs, a group of Baton Rougeans who had their own float in the Endymion parades. He was a float Lieutenant and rode every year for over 20 years. He especially enjoyed the Endymion Coronation Balls and Extravaganzas, often “getting his money’s worth” by partying until sun up.

He could have been an entertainer, he had such a quick wit and winning personality. He was very funny and could relate to anyone, never knowing a stranger and was capable of talking a lamppost into giving an answer. He held court over many years in by gone establishments such as the Cotton Club, Southdowns and Fairway View Club to name a few.

He is survived by Anna, his wife of 58 years; son, Jean-Paul Perrault and his wife Wanda, and three grandchildren: Isabella, Jean-Paul , and Gabrielle and nieces Michele Brignac, DVM, Aimee Brignac, Denise Smith and Nicole Barnes. Preceding him in death was his son, Andre Joseph Perrault (1974-1999), his sister, Janet Brignac, brother-in-law Eddie Brignac and parents Joseph A. Perrault, Sr and Aimee Perrault.

There will be a celebration of life at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to The Emerge Center or Catholic High School.