Joel Philip Oustalet

Funeral services for Joel Philip Oustalet will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, located at 710 N. State St. in Jennings.

Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. in the church, followed by the A.C.T.S. Rosary at 10:30 a.m.

Funeral mass will begin at 11:11 a.m., officiated by Reverend Jay Clement Alexius.

Burial will be in Calvary Mausoleum under the direction of Matthews and Son Funeral Home.

Mr. Oustalet was born June 26, 1961, in Jennings and died March 2, 2022, at Ochsner’s Hospital in New Orleans following a protracted and valiant struggle due to complications from heart surgery.

He was preceded in death by his parents, A.J.M “Bubba” Oustalet and Lena Mae Easley Oustalet, and younger brother, Fred Zigler Oustalet.

A native of Jennings, Gulfport and Pass Christian, Miss., and a resident of Lake Arthur and Lafayette, Oustalet was a respected businessman both in and outside of Jeff Davis Parish.

A 1979 graduate of St. John’s High School in Gulfport, Miss., Oustalet went on to study at LSU, where he met and married his college sweetheart, the former Lisa Hayes of Alexandria. After graduating from LSU in 1983, Oustalet joined the family business and eventually became President and CEO of Bubba Oustalet Chevrolet-Cadillac and partner in Bubba Oustalet Ford, Lincoln and Toyota.

Mr. Oustalet’s life was centered around family, church, community and the automotive industry.

He is survived by his wife, Lisa; daughter Jolie Oustalet-Picou (Richard) of Jennings; and sons Joel Philip Oustalet, II, of Slidell and Chance Christian Oustalet of Lafayette. He leaves four cherished grandchildren, Richard James, Jack Cannon, Easley Oustalet and Georgia Anne Picou, all of Jennings, and one more on the way. He is also survived by his sisters, Connie O. Byrne of Lafayette, Roxanne O. Lagarde (Jules) of Covington and Michelle O. Lyons (Jimmy) of Lafayette; and brothers A.J.M. “Butch” Oustalet, III, of Gulfport, Miss., Richard C. “Ricky” Oustalet of Jennings, Ronald R. Oustalet (Andra) of Jennings, James B. “Jimmy” Oustalet (Michelle) of Jennings and Lance R. Oustalet of Long Beach, Miss.; 29 nieces and nephews; and more than 39 great-nieces and nephews.

Religion was an integral part of Joel’s life, from attending mass and being involved with ACTS and Knights of Columbus to serving as a trustee for Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. He donated timeless hours to raise funds, build countless church buildings and prayer gardens, and purchase organs, Catholic school transportation and other projects, including $22 million for the Return to the Lord Campaign of the Lake Charles Diocese. Mr. Oustalet was a member of the Knights of Columbus 3rd and 4th degree and was honored to become a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

He also made it a priority to continue a 55-year family tradition begun by his father to host an annual priests and deacons luncheon every May for the Lake Charles and Lafayette Diocese. Oustalet made several religious pilgrimages and attended retreats and encouraged others in their own private and personal faith journey.

Ever civic minded, Oustalet held positions in the Jennings Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club International, Jennings High School Quarterback Club, JHS Baseball Booster, American Legion Hospital Foundation, Saint Patrick’s Hospital Board and Jennings Industrial Development Board. He served on the Jeff Davis Bank Advisory Board, the Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development Board (35 years), Jeff Davis Parish Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman, Communities Against Domestic Abuse (CADA), Zigler Museum ZAM Member and was Vice Chair of the Lake Arthur Regatta, as well as the Chair of the Jeff Davis Mosquito Abatement Board. His dedication to the community and organizations earned him the title of Jennings Business Person of the Year. He was also recognized for his noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to the community and was awarded by the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Joel P. Oustalet’s business, fellow dealers and employees were his life! He was most passionate about serving his fellow Louisiana and national dealers. Joel was a Louisiana Auto Dealer Association Chairman, National Automotive Dealer’s Association Vice Chairman of Region II, and board member of Louisiana Dealer Services. He was honored to be named the National Automotive Dealer’s Association Director of the Year and the 2011 NADA Convention Chairman. Mr. Oustalet was chosen to represent fellow dealers on Ford National Dealer Council. He was instrumental in protecting dealers from many government regulations and wanted to preserve the industry for future generations.

Joel had a true love for his Alma Mater and his LSU Tigers! He could be found tailgating and never missed the LSU Fighting Tiger Band! He was a member of the Tiger Althetic Fund (TAF), LSU Transportation Team and Louisiana State University Alumni Association. Mr. Oustalet was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and a “Life Loyal Sig.”

There was nothing better then enjoying time with family and friends, a great meal and watching the sunsets of Lake Arthur. His larger-than-life personality was most prevalent from Christmas through Bacchus Sunday each year. And as always, the thrill of the beads, revelry and the party! His untimely departure came after his favorite season, and on Ash Wednesday.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to Camp Karol Catholic Youth Retreat Center, 1087 Bozo Road, Moss Bluff, LA 70611.

Online condolences can be extended through www.matthewsandsonfuneralhome.net .