Anthony Mayeux

Anthony Paul “Tony” Mayeux, "Chevalier" (1932–1998) was born in Plaucheville, Louisiana in the parish of Avoyelles to French Catholic parents Henry Mayeux and Marie Plauche. His family was from St. Mayeux, the center of Brittany, a region of Côtes-d'Armor, France. Tony was the youngest child of seven. He spent the early part of his life working in the family construction business, which still exists today.

Korean War

Tony fought in the Korean War from 1950-54 on board a Navy Destroyer, The USS Blue (DD-744), located in the Pacific. He was a boiler room technician. After the war, he pursued his formal education.

Education

University of Louisiana at Lafayette, in Lafayette, LA, was where Tony graduated Summa Cum Laude with Bachelors of Science, Pre-Law degree.

Tulane University, New Orleans, LA., was where Tony first decided to change direction away from being on track for law school and, instead, became intensely interested in the promotion of the French language. At Tulane he earned a Foreign Language Education Certificate.

Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, OH, Masters in French. Due to his interest in foreign language, he was awarded a FLECS scholarship, which meant he was one of only ten applicants for the United States chosen for this program. At Case, he was also honored as a Summa Cum Laude graduate.

Purdue University, Lafayette, IN., was the school Tony decided to pursue his PhD in Modern Language Education and Development.

Knighthood

Tony achieved the honor and privileges of Knighthood by the Government of France "de la République Française", for his passionate pursuit for the growth of the French Language in the United States, as well as bringing American teachers to France to help the spread of the English language abroad. He was knighted and was bestowed with the title of “Chevalier". His passion was not limited to the spread of the language, but was more about total immersion in all aspects of the French culture, from the food, to how they raise their children, all of it was there to be discovered and learned, and so Tony wanted all people to understand the beauty of this ancient culture. Tony had a saying “It is more important to learn to be French than it is to learn to speak French.”

Professional

Educator, 6th Grade in Bunkie, LA.

Director of Foreign Language, University City, MO. District

McNeese State University, Professor, Education and Foreign Language for 30+ years

Director (CODOFIL),The Council for the Development of French in Louisiana. Tony was instrumental in the early development of the organization, such as creating the concept of French Immersion in schools, and was appointed by James R. Domengeaux (January 6, 1907–April 11, 1988) a Lafayette attorney, U.S. representative.

Restaurateur, Tony owned and operated a French restaurant in Lake Charles, LA.

Political

Ran for School Board

Tony was an elected Police Juror of Calcasieu Parish from 1978-82 and was President 81-82. He was an out-spoken champion of the environment. He lost his bid for reelection, due to his continued fight for the environment when he worked diligently to fight a northern company, At Sea Incineration, from having a the legal right to burn toxic waste off the coast of Louisiana; he did not regret the loss of his position because he was successful in fending off the company that would have ruined the natural habitat of Louisiana that Tony so dearly loved. Another area that received a considerable amount of his attention was in the fight for the civil right of his African-Americans constituents; he attended and assisted in the growth a predominately African-American Catholic Church (St. Martin de Porres), where he worked doggedly for equal rights and acceptance for all people.

Board of Directors, Girl Scouts of America

Board of Directors, Louisiana Adult Literacy Council

Miscellaneous Facts

Before Tony signed up to go to Korea, he played semi-professional baseball, was an avid jazz trumpeter, and, while in high school, he was sent by the school to New Orleans to interview the King of the Zulu parade, Louis Armstrong. Additionally, he was a polyglot and could speak French, English, and Spanish.

Family

Tony married Mercedes DuCote of Cottonport Louisiana and remained married for 48 years until his death. The majority of his adult life was spent in Lake Charles, Louisiana, which is where he raised his four children: Anthony Paul "Rocky" Mayeux Jr., who is a principal in Houston, TX, is to married Dollie (Anselem) Mayeux who is the Director of Mathematics for Galena Park ISD, and Lillie Mayeux who is the child of Anthony and Dollie Mayeux, attending Southwestern University in Georgetown TX; Henry James “Jimmy” Mayeux, who is a registered nurse in Lake Charles, LA. and is married to Laurie (Dyson) Mayeux who is also a registered nurse; Chantal Marie Teresa Mayeux Reina, who is a registered nurse in Lake Charles, LA. and is married to Dr.Johnny Reina, DVM; and Leonard "Lenny" Joseph Coco "Lump" Mayeux, who is in the Integrated circuit (IC) Industry, attending his second year of Law School, developed and discovered TRaD Technology, is married to Nicole (Dew) Mayeux and lives in Escondido, CA.

References

* CODOFIL, www.codofil.org
* McNeese State University, www.mcneese.edu
* Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, www.cppj.net
* Galena Park Independent School District,www.galenaparkisd.com