Daniel Phillip Ieyoub

Daniel Phillip Ieyoub, 82, peacefully entered the joy of Heaven on April 19, 2017 surrounded by his family. Daniel was born on August 29, 1934 to Phillip and Virginia Ieyoub, living his entire life in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Daniel was a graduate of Lake Charles High School and later McNeese State University where he earned a double major in English and History in 1956. He furthered his education at LSU where he received a Master’s Degree in Administration. Upon graduation, Daniel began his career as a teacher at DeQuincy High School and then on to Central School and Pearl Watson. In 1964 he returned to his beloved Lake Charles High where he taught American History. In 1971, Daniel became Assistant Principal at Lake Charles High serving in that capacity until 1980 when he became Principal. Daniel served as Principal until 1983 marking him as the last Principal of Lake Charles High. Even after the doors closed to Lake Charles High, Daniel continued to be involved in organizing Wildcat reunions and was often invited back to attend individual Class Reunions. To this date, Daniel is still referred to as “Mr. Wildcat” given his love and passion for the school.

Upon leaving Lake Charles High School, Daniel served as Principal of St. Louis Catholic High from 1984 to 1991 and was subsequently inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame. He remained a faithful supporter of St. Louis and continued to serve as a substitute teacher as recently as last week. After his departure from St. Louis, Daniel served as academic advisor at McNeese State University from 1991 until his retirement in 2008.

All and all, Daniel dedicated over 50 years of his life teaching thousands of students, being instrumental not only in the classroom, but life in general.

Despite his many obligations to his teaching career, Daniel was just as involved in several organizations serving the community of Lake Charles. Daniel was a founding member and past president of ACTS Theatre of Lake Charles. One of his greatest joys was appearing on stage with memorable performances in Fiddler on the Roof and The King and I. Daniel continued to perform for over 40 years, with his latest performance Guys and Dolls in 2015. Daniel was also a member and past president of the McNeese Alumni Association, past president of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Catholic School Board, past president of the McNeese Outriders and past president of the Sierra Club. Daniel served as a member of the Retired Teachers of Calcasieu Parish, board member and treasurer of the Louisiana College Academic Advisor Association, member of the Arts and Humanities Council and served on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army. Daniel also volunteered for the SWLA Convention & Visitors Bureau, McNeese Banners and at the Cathedral Parish Church office.

He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and loved to sing with the Immaculate Conception Cathedral choir and with the Liberty Belles where he was the only male vocalist.  

Daniel was truly a man who walked in the light of Christ, genuinely touching thousands of lives during his time here on earth. He lived his faith everyday and loved doing so.  

Daniel is survived by his beautiful, loving wife of fifty-five years, Ursula, his five sons, his daughter and their spouses - Michael and Kelly, Mark and Ginger, David and Susan, Kristen and Jody Savant, Timothy and Odette and Jonathan and Stephy. He is also survived by his brothers, Kalil (Gretchel) Ieyoub, Patrick (Charlotte) Ieyoub of Lake Charles, Richard (Caprice) Ieyoub of Baton Rouge and his sister Ernestine (Neal) Underwood of Ohio. Daniel, known to his grandchildren as Papa, also leaves his twenty grandchildren that he so adored - Natalie, Jacob, Shaun, Nicholas, Patrick, Alex, Matthew, Adam, Luke, Elise, Maddie, Ryan, Anna, Georgia, John Paul, Mackie, Sydney, Elle, Evelyn and Farrah.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A celebration of Daniel’s life will begin at 3 pm on Sunday, April 23, with a Scripture Service at 6 pm at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Visitation will resume on Monday at 8 am until departure for Church. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 am on Monday, April 24 at Immaculate Conception Cathedral Church. Msgr. Jace Eskind will officiate.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to St. Louis Catholic High School Foundation for a scholarship in memory of Daniel Ieyoub.