John LaCroix

Dr. John Thomas LaCroix, 88 of Biloxi, MS passed away on October 5, 2022.   His prayers to spend his final days at home and pass away in his sleep were answered.

John was born on June 8, 1934 in Colfax, LA.  He played college baseball and completed his preparatory veterinary medicine degree after two years at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana) in Lafayette and graduated in 1954.  In 1958, he completed his doctorate in veterinary medicine at Texas A&M.  He was a member of ROTC at A&M and joined the US Air Force after completing studies there.   During his military service, he met his wife, Ester Flores LaCroix, while stationed in England.  They celebrated 60 years of marriage in April this year.  Beyond meeting his wife, his fondest military memory was being stationed in Ethiopia, Africa where he studied tropical diseases in animals and their contagious potential to humans.  While there, he enjoyed safaris and big game hunting.   John and Ester had five children when they moved to Biloxi, MS for what would be his last assignment at Keesler Air Force Base.  He retired from the military in 1978 after twenty years and opened a private veterinary practice, Big Ridge Veterinary Hospital, and fully retired in 1998 after twenty years at his practice.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, and his son, Thomas Joseph LaCroix.  He is survived by his loving wife, Ester; four children:  John, Mike, Cathy, and Carolyn; and five grandchildren:  Mike, Jon, Thomas, Samantha, and Jessica as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews.

We will celebrate the life of John LaCroix with a visitation for friends and family on Thursday, October 13th, from 10:30 a.m. until the Mass of Christian Burial is celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in D’Iberville. Interment with full military honors being rendered by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, at Crestlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Ocean Springs will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local humane society or St Vincent de Paul Society of D’Iberville, MS.  John used to volunteer in the St. Vincent de Paul pharmacy for many years.

An online register is available for memories, condolences and photos to be shared at www.riemannfamily.com

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. In West Jackson County is proudly serving the LaCroix family.