Carlos Blane McGee

Carlos Blane McGee, 59, of Lake Charles passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026 following an unexpected heart attack days prior.

Mr. McGee was born in Arnaudville, raised in Port Barre and lived most of his life in Lake Charles. He was a graduate of Port Barre High School and McNeese State University where he attained a Bachelor of Science. He played high school and college football and continued his patronage to MSU as a graduate assistance football coach, earning him a position as the Running backs coach. He was also heavily involved in recruiting and fund-raising efforts. Carlos started the annual Kickoff Classic Golf Tournament. He was an advocate, dedicated to his players, always being a call away for personal needs, athletics or education. He was frequently invited by the Cowboy Club and Quarterback Club to speak at their functions and events. Mr. McGee later changed career paths as a consultant of various avenues in the medical and healthcare industry. His people skills, the exceptional “gift of gab” was his greatest asset in being a well-respected athletic recruiter, consultant, friend and acquaintance.

Mr. McGee enjoyed playing golf and loved music and dancing, especially the Jitterbug. He will be remembered for his charismatic personality. He loved to entertain, make people laugh, was always the life of the party and loved being the center of attention. He never met a stranger and never forgot a friend. A proud father, his greatest joy was his children and stepchildren that he loved as his own as well as his precious Momma. Mr. McGee was of Catholic faith.

He leaves to honor his memory, his mother, Rosetta McGee Gillen of Port Barre; two children, Gillen Blane McGee and Mikayla Reese McGee of Lake Charles; two stepchildren, Landon Pedersen and Victoria Pedersen Cooley (Landon) of Lake Charles; two sisters, Vikki McGee Campbell (Sonny) of Jonesboro, AR and Angie McGee of Port Barre; two brothers, John Shannon Gillen (Kelly) of Port Barre and Seth Adam “Bocephus” (Chelsea) Gillen of Port Barre and former wife and mother of his children, Jodi Sweeney Duhon (Glenn "Bub"). He also leaves nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, numerous cousins and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, John Kenneth Gillen.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 1:30 PM Monday, January 19, 2026, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Father Joshua Page will officiate. Interment services will follow at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation Monday will be from 10:00 AM until 1:00 PM with a Rosary and Tribute service beginning at 12:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles.

Pallbearers for his services will be Gillen McGee, Bo Gillen, Kross Gillen, Kyle Deville, Charles "Chas" Babin, Jr., Shane Boudreaux, Joey Shaw and Eddie "Jap" Sonnier.

Honorary pallbearers will be former McNeese State football players of Coach McGee.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to McNeese Foundation for the Quarterback Club, BOX 91989, Lake Charles, LA 70609 or www.mcneesefoundation.org/giving-form.