James "Jim" Michael Rongey

James “Jim” Michael Rongey, age 71, was called home to be with the Lord, leaving behind a life defined by faith, service, and quiet strength. He passed quietly on April 22, 2026 at home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Orange, Texas, Jim answered the call to serve his country as a flight mechanic in the United States Marine Corps. Being a Marine shaped who he was—strong, dependable, and always willing to step up for others. That same sense of responsibility guided him throughout his life and career. After his military service, Jim dedicated 40 years of his career to DuPont, serving as a Safety Manager, where he was known for holding himself and others to high standards. Protecting people mattered to him deeply, and he took pride in doing things the right way. He led by example, with consistency, integrity, and a calm steadiness that others trusted. Jim was a loving, devoted husband to his high school sweetheart Yvonne Madere Rongey, and a loving father to Benjamin James Rongey and his wife, Tiffany, and Marianne Rongey Fischer and her husband, Doug. He is also survived by his sister, Vicki Willard and her husband Wendell, Yvonne’s siblings and their families, including 20 nieces and nephews, numerous great‑nieces and great‑great‑nieces and nephews, all of whom he embraced as his own. His family was his heart, and he showed his love through action, by fixing what was broken, offering help without being asked, and always being someone they could count on. Jim found joy in the simple, meaningful things in life: hunting, cooking, and working with any tool he could get his hands on, especially those for woodworking. From hand‑built furniture to detailed finish work, he left his craftsmanship and his care etched into every space he worked in. If something was broken, he believed it could be fixed and usually proved it. The quiet moments of sitting in a deer stand in the woods, working with his hands, or sharing meals with family, were where he was most at peace. In 2022, Jim was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a challenge he faced with strength, perseverance, and faith, never losing his quiet determination or trust in God. Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Rongey, his mother, Bonnie Rongey, and his sister, Catherine Rongey. We take comfort in knowing they are reunited in eternal peace. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 29th, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in LaPlace, Louisiana beginning at 10:00 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 12:00 p.m., with burial at St. John Memorial Gardens immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, honoring Jim’s lifelong commitment to servicemen and women. James Michael Rongey will be deeply missed, but his legacy lives on in his faith, his family, and the steady, honorable way he lived his life.

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James "Jim" Michael Rongey

November 15, 1954 - April 22, 2026