Gary Scroggs

Gary Scroggs, 78, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 14, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born on September 7, 1947, in Alexandria, Louisiana, Gary was the beloved son of Kirby and Dorothy LaBorde Scroggs. A proud graduate of Marksville High School, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. He later completed his Masters in Business Administration at McNeese State University.

Gary’s professional journey began in Louisiana, and led him to work in North Carolina, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Texas, and New York before settling back in Lake Charles. He dedicated over 30 years to Arch Chemicals, where he rose through the ranks to become Plant Manager, even managing two plants simultaneously. His leadership and commitment to safety earned him the appointment of Safety Director for the entire company. After retiring, Gary found renewed joy in his work as a Professional Engineering Consultant, sharing his expertise with passion.

A man of deep faith and community spirit, Gary was a member of the Knights of Columbus and sang with the Our Lady Queen of Heaven Family Choir. He was a proud founding board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, a dedicated CCD teacher, and a gifted math tutor who had a special talent for making algebra easy and fun. He served on the boards of Villa Maria Retirement Home and the Lake Charles Symphony, leaving a lasting mark on the community he loved.

Gary will be remembered for his fairness, honesty, and generosity. He found his greatest joy traveling with his beloved wife, Deannie, and cherishing every moment spent with his grandchildren and his great-grandchild.

Those left to treasure his memory include his wife of 56 years, Deannie Arnaud Scroggs; his children, Dr. Matthew Scroggs (Kim), Elizabeth Scroggs-Svitilla (Robert), and Judith Tilly (John Wesley); his grandchildren, Anna Williams, Emily Scroggs, Ella Scroggs, Betsy Scroggs, Caroline Tilly, Mary Grace Tilly, Julia Tilly, Jacob Tilly and; his great-grandson, Dominic Williams; his sister, Marilyn Cloutier; and his brother, Phil Scroggs. He was welcomed into eternal life by his parents and by Deannie’s parents, Henry and Nordine Arnaud, who loved him like a son and whose name “Pop” he proudly carried.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church with Msgr. Harry Greig serving as Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles. Visitation will be held Thursday, September 18, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, with a Eulogy at 6:00 PM and a Rosary at 6:30 PM.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Edward Hebert, Dr. Kevin Young, Dr. Ben Azevedo, the nurses at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital, especially Dulcie, Savanna, and Naomi, and the nurses and aides of Brighton Bridge Hospice for their compassionate care. We would also like to express our deepest gratitude to his daughter-in-law, Kim Scroggs, for her love and dedication during his last days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Louisiana, New Life Counseling, or the Special Olympics.