New Iberia - A Celebration of Life for John Ledet, Jr., 67, will be held on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Davis Family Mortuary Chapel, 802 Weldon Street, New Iberia, LA. Rev. Charles Banks, officiant.

Visitation will begin at 8:00 AM Thursday, November 4, 2025 at Davis Family Mortuary Chapel until the time of service.

Mr. John Ledet, Jr., will await the resurrection at Holy Family Cemetery, 2807 N. Curtis Lane, New Iberia, LA.

John was born on Tuesday, August 12, 1958, to the late Dorothy Henry Smothers and John Ledet Sr, and raised with the help of David Smothers. He graduated from New Iberia Senior High, in the class of 1975. After graduating he attended Jimmy Swaggart Bible College. He spent 67 years proving that average was never an option. A man of endless talents and even more stories, he lived his life with loyalty, grit, love, and just the right amount of petty.

John leaves behind his devoted wife of 33 years but total of 39, Beverly Marks Ledet, who not only loved him but survived decades of impromptu guitar concerts—whether she asked for them or not. Together, they built a beautiful, blended family of 12 children: Shantana Bryant, Shawanda Ledet, Billie Johnson Jr. (Shannon), Kawoski Johnson (Angela), Kenyata Ledet, Latoya Delahoussaye (Terry), Joanie White (Thomas), Javorick Johnson, Katressa Johnson, Laterra Johnson, Ja'Horae Johnson, and Alanna Marks, plus more grandchildren and great-grandchildren than any calendar could keep up with. And beyond that, countless young people considered him a father figure. If you needed a steady hand, a stern word, or a good laugh, Mr. Jay had you covered.

A man of many trades, John held numerous positions throughout the oilfield industry and the truck-driving world, earning respect everywhere he went. If you ever wondered whether something could be fixed, John would reassure you with a confident, "Yeah, I got it," and then fix it—for a price so low you'd insist he charged too little, and he'd insist you hush.

John was also known for something else—his legendary OCD. That man could not stand a single thing out of place. One sock on the floor? Suddenly the whole house needed to be deep-cleaned. A spoon sitting in the sink? He'd swear y'all dirtied the entire kitchen and needed to "get it together." He'd fuss, clean it himself, and then fuss again—because that was just his way. And somehow, all that fussing made him even more lovable.

And then there was the music. Lord, the music. John was a true lover of rhythm and a goat with a guitar. He played in many bands, one in particular "Super Soul Exchange Band", that they created. It didn't matter if you were trying to sleep, watch TV, or have a serious conversation—if the mood struck, he was strumming. If you told him to stop, he'd strum louder, looking you right in the eye with that petty smile. And somehow, you loved him more for it.

John was a husband, father, Pawpaw, brother, uncle, nephew, mechanic, friend, mentor, and a dependable soul to those who called him day or night. If he loved you, he was all in. If he didn't… well, he made sure you didn't waste your time trying. His honesty was unfiltered, but his heart was enormous.

He was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy Smothers and John Ledet Sr, mother and father in-law, Bertha Jacquet and Alfred Marks Sr., Siblings: Marvia Smothers, Bridget Henry, Karen Smothers and Shawn Smothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and beloved grandchildren who surely greeted him with open arms. Knowing John, he's already tuning a guitar in heaven and offering to fix the gates if they squeak too much.

He leaves to cherish his fond memories, wife, children, grandchildren, 2 godchildren, Brashawn Broussard and Ni'Zeal Davis, his 2 brother; Richard Smothers (Tonya) and Errol Smothers, 5 aunts; Elizabeth Levine, Mary Wiltz, Marie Henry, Viola Valsin, and Linda Smothers, a special person Charles (Blu) Broussard, a hosts of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

With hearts full of love and a touch of laughter—just the way he would've wanted—we celebrate the life of John Ledet Jr., affectionately known as Mr. Jay. On Saturday, November 15, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with medical conditions, he peacefully took his final rest. Though he left this world, he did not leave it empty; he left it louder, kinder, funnier, and far more unforgettable.

John lived loud, loved hard, worked relentlessly, and gave freely. His legacy is etched into the hearts of his family, the countless young people he guided, the engines he revived, the miles he hauled, and the beats he played. Though we mourn his loss, we celebrate the blessing of having known such a dynamic, hilarious, stubborn, and loving man. His presence will forever echo through the lives he touched—and probably still strum a guitar in our dreams and memories whether we like it or not.

Rest well, Mr. Jay. The world is quieter without you… and we already miss the noise.

The family has entrusted their loved one to the caring professionals at Davis Family Mortuary, 802 Weldon Street, New Iberia, LA