James Harold Tooke, 84, of Kenner, and formerly of Jena, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 7, 2017.
He was born December 29, 1932 in Ringgold to the union of Virgie Chloe Corley Tooke and Henry Seward Tooke.
James graduated from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute (Louisiana Tech.) in 1957 with degrees in Civil Engineering and Land Surveying.
He was stationed at the U.S. Army Base in Yuma, AZ where their daughter Debbie was born. Mark was born in Shreveport in early 1960. Later that year, the Tookes moved to Jena, and set up their small business, Tooke Land Surveying, which they owned and operated there until 2002.
James was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1961 and served as a congregation elder in the Jena, the Olla and the Central Kenner Congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
He was known for being a true Southern gentleman, respecting everyone, whatever their station in society, being generous to a fault and having a green thumb.
A memorial service was held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Metairie
He is survived by the love of his life, Mary Lane Shamburger Tooke of Kenner; their daughter, Deborah Lane Tooke Arceneaux and husband Glenn of Metairie; one son, Mark Henry Tooke and wife Pamela; and his only sister, Janet Tooke Hobbs of Calhoun. He is known by his five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren as “Papa” and his nieces and nephews fondly call him “Unka James”.
Memorials in his memory may be made to Watchtower, 900 Red Mills Rd., Wallkill, NY 12589.
Arrangements were entrusted to Neptune Society of New Orleans.