Evitia John (“EJ”) LaVergne
Evitia John (“EJ”) LaVergne passed away quietly at home in the presence of family on July 8, 2020. He is survived by his son, Dennis LaVergne and wife, Cathy, of Prosper, Texas; by his grandchildren, Jacqueline LaVergne, of Austin, Sierra LaVergne, of Round Rock, and John LaVergne, of Prosper; by his loving partner, Jan Lawrence, with whom he lived in Dickinson; and by other extended family and friends.
EJ was born on October 7, 1943 in Crowley, Louisiana, in the heart of Cajun Country. That fact shaped his entire life as he was utterly devoted to Cajun culture and its preservation, especially in regard to the distinctive food and music which is a global treasure. Toward that end, EJ co-hosted the radio program, Cajun Bandstand, along with Les “Pe-Te” Johnson, from 1987 until his recent illness. This program, airing from 6 to 9 every Saturday morning on KPFT 90.1 FM, has a devoted following which can tune in via the internet from around the world. EJ was a founder of the Houston chapter of the Cajun French Music Association and served on its national board for two years.
For many years until his recent retirement, EJ worked for the local pipeline corporation, Strike, as a public relations supervisor. He and a crew of four drove a rig around the region, cooking and serving EJ’s unforgettable jambalaya and red beans and rice at various company and charity events such as the relief efforts in tornado-ravaged Oklahoma in 2013. EJ had a loyal following at Lone Star College in Kingwood, where he served multiple times for events like Black History Month, never charging the college a cent for feeding hundreds of grateful students and employees.
EJ served his country in the US Air Force for five years, doing tours in Thailand and the Philippines. He was very proud to be a lifetime member of VFW Post #6378 in Dickinson. In recent years, EJ and Jan drove to Southwest Louisiana with regularity, enjoying the culture in its strongholds like Eunice, Mamou, and Lafayette. This was an effort to eat the best boudin, dance to the greatest bands, and generally to “laissez les bons temps rouler.”
EJ’s was a well-spent life, one which reflected his personal generosity and brought happiness to many people. A memorial service will celebrate that life on Saturday, July 25, at 1 p.m. at the Crowder Funeral Home in League City. C’est tout.
Due to the COVID 19 public gathering restrictions, Crowder Funeral Home requires all visitors to wear a mask and maintain a social distance of six feet from attendees. Maximum occupancy is 60 guests. Please maintain a social distance during the visitation and while seated in the chapel. We will offer the opportunity of viewing the ceremony via a private YouTube Channel. To access the ceremony online, please use link below.
E.J. will be remembered with love and forever missed. He had a heart of gold, the patience of a saint, and the culinary genius of a master. He was truly one of a kind. We have been blessed to know him and will always cherish our memories of him.
EJ was one of the best people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing in my life. Not a day will go by that he is not remembered, missed, and most of all, loved. We love you and miss you, EJ – until we meet again.
Very sorry to hear this news about our old friend EJ. Bayou Roux met EJ about the same time that we met Pe Te and that would have been about 1993. EJ truly loved and promoted the Cajun culture every day of his life. He was a really hard worker, a great cook, happy to help anyone anytime, a true gentleman and an all around great guy. RIP EJ
PS – Never did know his real name, until now.
Hey Dad,
It’s been a year now since you’ve gone and I really miss you. I kept your last voice mail that you left for me on my phone and I listen to your voice every now and then. Still don’t know how to move on just yet but please let me know that you see us from time to time. I will see you again someday.
Love you very much PaPa,
Dennis
The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.
He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.
And now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not how much we own, the cars, the house, the cash.
What matters is how we live and love, and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough to consider what’s true and real,
and always try to understand the way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger and show appreciation more,
and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read with your life’s actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?
http://www.LindaEllis.life