James Davis Balfa

James was born and raised in Mamou, La. He was a 1959 graduate of Mamou High School, where he excelled in basketball and volleyball. During high school, he met Jackie Manuel, the love of his life. After a year of study at Southwestern Louisiana Institute, he married Jackie and they moved to Westlake, La.

James first trained to be a butcher at Blanchette’s in Westlake.

After being drafted, James served in the US Army at Ft. Jackson, Columbia, SC. During this time, they welcomed their daughter, Phyllis. After an honorable discharge, they moved back to Louisiana, settling in Lake Charles.

After the move to Lake Charles, James began his career at Kroger. First as a butcher, then as Meat Department Manager for the next 35 years. James excelled as a manager and went on to train other managers when new Kroger locations opened in Southwest La.

He enjoyed taking his family on trips to Astroworld, Waterworld, Disney World and the mountains of Tennessee. One memorable family trip was to the World’s Fair in New Orleans, La in 1984.

James enjoyed coaching girls basketball and softball at St. Margaret Catholic school as well as boys basketball. He spent his summers coaching girls fast pitch softball teams, always leading them to the playoffs. An avid sports fan, he never missed LSU Tigers football, basketball and baseball games. James was a lifelong New Orleans Saints fan. His favorite sports memories were the LSU Football and Baseball National Championships, and the Saints Superbowl win.

On his weekends off, he enjoyed fishing, listening to music and cooking on the grill. His specialty was smoked brisket, which he loved to share with family and friends. He also took pride in working in his vegetable garden and sharing his harvest.

James volunteered twice a week at the Oak Park Food Pantry until it closed. Every year he helped put out flags at the local Avenue of Flags and was a member of the American Legion Post 1.

James was a devout Catholic, longtime member of St. Margaret Catholic Church. He was a member of Knights of Columbus and helped count the weekly offerings at church. At any church fundraiser, James could be counted on to help cook whether it was BBQ or a fish fry.

James was an animal lover and rescued many dogs and cats over the years. He will be missed by his dog, Lucy; granddogs, Beau and Tucker and grandcat, Henry.

James will be remembered for his devotion to his faith and family. He leaves to honor his memory, his daughter, Phyllis Ann Balfa of Lake Charles; sister, Jane Balfa Cormier of Eunice; nieces and nephews, Peter Cormier, Sheila Daigle, Jill Fruge and Marshal Manuel; great nephews, Jebby, Will and Caleb Cormier and honorary grandson, Seamus Beggan. He also leaves behind many good friends who he loved to drink coffee with and talk sports and politics.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Jackie Manuel Balfa and his parents, Will Balfa and Euna Fontenot Balfa.

Funeral services will be at 6:00 PM Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the Chapel of Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Monsignor Harry Greig will officiate. Interment services will be private at Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation Wednesday will be from 2:00 PM until the time of the service. A Rosary will be recited at 5:00 PM in the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Margaret Catholic Church or St. Louis Catholic High School.