We are men who lead, serve, protect and defend, whether we are giving out Coats for Kids, donating wheelchairs, lending a helping hand in disaster relief efforts, supporting local pregnancy centers or providing top-quality financial products.
Wendell Jean-Pierre was born in California; but he never claimed it. He was raised and educated in New Orleans, and without hurricane Katrina, would have finished his life there. However, it was here in Texas that Wendell passed away on October 12th, 2022 with his wife Connie at his side, from a massive stroke a few days before. Wendell has always been an intellectual man having graduated from Saint Augustine High – a famous Catholic High School in New Orleans. Even today, through the St. Augustine Alumni Association, he and his classmates continue to inspire young men to be men of the world through scholarships and counsel. After high school Wendell entered the military where he was an Ammo Tech. That’s a fancy term to describe defusing bombs. He served in Viet Nam and landed in country on his birthday – Wendell thought that was a good omen. While he survived his tour and received numerous medals and an honorable discharge, he was granted 100% disability. After his military career he was educated at Dillard College and then SUNO – Southern University New Orleans. He spent nearly his entire working career as a Duty Board Supervisor for the United States Coast Guard. He retired in 2005 just about 3 months before hurricane Katrina arrived and deposited 10 feet of water in their home. They decided, for safety reasons, to seek a home in Texas. . Wendell was an avid reader and writer. He knew the bible forward and backward and was well versed in scripture and all the books of the bible. He utilized this knowledge to teach others about “the way, the light, and the truth”. He was chaplain of the St. Augustine Alumni Association and Lecturer for the Knights of Columbus. Wendell was a startling surprise to the Knight of Columbus because of his knowledge of church history and scripture. He was a perfect fit to be the Lecturer for Council 8157, a post he held until his death. Our Council had the privilege of his knowledge and counsel during his years as a member of our Council. He was inducted into the 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus and participated in ceremonial duties. We never got to hear Wendell play his clarinet but he was a musician and able to play a variety of instruments – the best being the clarinet. Wendell and Connie have been blessed with three children – Kelly, Maceo, and Malcolm. Around the house everyone called him Chef Jean-Pierre and no one was allowed in his kitchen. During his short time with the Knights of Columbus, it was obvious that Wendell was not feeling well and yet he always had a happy disposition. You just couldn’t meet a nicer guy. We’ll miss him a lot. The last chapter of this story occurred on Tuesday evening December 6, 2022, when Connie Jean-Pierre presented Council #8157 a three layer cake with our logo on front in recognition of the Knights support, love and honor the council displayed during Wendell’s funeral. Thanks you Connie for your thoughtfulness.
