Joe Fruge

Joseph Fruge, 90, was born July 23, 1935, in Eunice, La. He joined the United States Navy in 1952 and served in Guam. He met the love of his life Tracy Nell Fontenot in 1953. They were married in 1956 and would have celebrated their 70th Wedding anniversary in February. In 1958 they made Lake Charles their home and he began his career as a Barber at the Majestic Barber Shop. In 1961 he established Fruge’s Barber Shop at the Ribeck Theatre Building. Following a fire, he relocated his shop to 6th Avenue and a few years later he moved to 4th Avenue, before going to work at Rodrigue’s shop. In 1978, Mr. Fruge, along with Richard LaFleur and Wayne Mouton established The Hair Shoppe on Kirkman where he worked for 31 years, until they sold the shop and he moved on to the Matador where he remained for 10 years until hurricane Laura. Mr. Fruge’s last years of cutting hair were done out of the Barber Shop he built on to the back of his house. He served as President of the Barber’s Union 542, until they merged with the International Union (UFCW), where he served as Secretary Treasurer for the International Union until he retired from the union in 1988. Mr. Fruge truly chose a career path that he enjoyed until the end as he made countless lifelong friends that extended for generations. He and his wife were members of St. Henry’s Catholic Church for more than twenty years and in 1985 joined Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. He was a member of the Monsignor Irving A. Deblanc Knights of Columbus Council 4562 and served on the St. Louis High School Board as a representative for St. Henry Catholic Church. A man of faith and prayer, he made Cursillo #25 in Prairie Ronde.

He leaves behind his wife of 69 years, Tracy Nell Fontenot Fruge; three daughters, Cindy Lejeune (Blaine) of Lake Charles, Deirdre Broussard (Richard) of Lake Charles, Sonia Scully (Thomas) of Alexandria, La and his brother-in-law who he loved like a son, John Wayne Fontenot (Jodi) of Lake Charles; nine grandchildren, Brittany Allyce Lejeune, Allyson Brooke Lejeune, Colin Joseph Broussard, Tyler Paul Broussard, Anna Catherine Broussard, Dylan Thomas Scully, Daniel Joseph Scully, Dru Anthony Scully and Sophia Katherine Scully; one brother, Hilton Fruge (Diane) of Moss Bluff; one sister, Thelma Richard of Crowley. He was preceded in death by his parents, Pierre and Corrine Fruge and ten siblings along with his granddaughter, Danielle Lee Lejeune.

Some of Mr. Fruge’s greatest times were spent cutting up with customers and co-workers at the Barber shops and family gatherings. His quick wit and laughter will be missed. He also enjoyed traveling, gardening and spending time with his family. He will be most remembered for his love and devotion to his wife, family and church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Father Keith Pellerin will officiate. Interment services will follow at Consolata Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday will be from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles with a rosary service beginning at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue Wednesday from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM at the funeral home.