James E. Wyche III

James E. Wyche, III passed away peacefully in his home on February 27, 2026. He was 88 years old. Born on January 3, 1938, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Jim grew up in Rayville before his family moved to Monroe. He graduated from Neville High School in Monroe in 1955.

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University in 1959 and a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1961. In the years that followed, he further pursued his passion for learning by completing 18 semester hours in Accounting through LSU and McNeese State University.

Jim married Charlyne on June 11, 1961, a partnership that would last 57 cherished years. The couple settled in Lake Charles, where Jim became a member of First United Methodist Church in 1961. He served the church in many capacities - as chairman of the administrative board, chairman of the finance committee and member of the FUMC Chancel Choir, which performed Mozart's Requiem at Carnegie Hall in February 2018.

Jim dedicated nearly four decades of his professional life to PPG Industries, Inc., beginning at the Lake Charles facility in 1960. He held a variety of engineering and supervisory roles, was transferred to PPG's General Office in Pittsburgh in 1970 to work in technology licensing, and returned to Lake Charles in 1975 to manage environmental affairs. He served as plant environmental manager for his final seven years before retiring on March 1, 1999. After retirement, he worked part-time as a tax preparer, first for H&R Block and later for MQB Certified Public Accountants.

Jim leaves behind a legacy of service that touched nearly every corner of his community. In addition to his service to the church, he served as treasurer of the Samaritan Counseling Center, chaired the 1999 fund-raising campaign for the Cal-Cam Association for Persons with Orthopedic Disabilities, was treasurer of the HOA for the Oaks at Hyde Place, served on the Louisiana Tech Engineering and Science Foundation board as Vice President and then President, and volunteered at the Calcasieu Community Clinic. He also chaired the Lake Charles Ozone Task Force and the Technical Air Committee, both focused on environmental compliance in the region. He was a Registered Engineer (Retired) in Louisiana and a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers for more than 50 years.

Jim was an avid traveler who visited every continent and more than 100 countries with his wife, Charlyne. Through his travels, he enjoyed experiencing other cultures, expanding his world view and building new friendships. He also loved sharing stories of these adventures with family and friends.

He is survived by his two daughters, Susan Sangster and Karen Contos; five beloved granddaughters, Virginia Sangster, Rosella Romero, Madison Sangster, Alyssandra Romero, and Sydney Contos; and countless friends, colleagues, and community members whose lives were made richer for having known him.

A funeral for Jim will take place on Thursday March 5, 2026 at 11:00am at First United Methodist Church in Lake Charles. Visitation will take place on Wednesday March 4, 2026 from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Johnson Funeral Home in Lake Charles. Visitation will resume on Thursday morning at First United Methodist Church at 10:30am before the funeral.

In lieu of flowers please make a memorial donation to the Methodist Children’s Home of Sulphur, LA.

James E. Wyche, III, was a man who believed that a life well-lived is one poured out in service to others. He embodied that belief every day. He will be deeply and profoundly missed.