Funeral services celebrating the life of Dean Lee Felterman will be held Thursday, November 2, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson during a 2:00 PM Memorial Mass of Christian Burial. Monsignor Richard Greene will be the Celebrant for the Mass with Father Salinger Istre concelebrating. Inurnment will follow in the St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum. A gathering of family and friends will be held Thursday at Ibert’s Mortuary in Patterson from 10:00 AM until dismissal from the funeral home at 1:00 PM, proceeding to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Patterson for the recitation of the Holy Rosary at 1:30 PM. Honorary pallbearers will be his nine grandchildren.
Dean Lee Felterman was born December 4, 1953 in Morgan City, LA. He died tragically at the age of 69 on Thursday, October 12, 2023 in an airplane crash. An airplane and aviation enthusiast, his family takes comfort in knowing Lee passed away doing what he loved. Though he will be greatly missed, his legacy will carry on in the many family members and friends he has left behind. Lee was a devout Catholic, and his family takes great peace in knowing they will see him again.
Lee’s childhood was mostly spent outdoors with his brothers and friends. He was an avid fisherman and loved hunting and enjoying the beauty of Southern Louisiana. On February 21, 1976, Lee married the love of his life, Jan Bernard, and they began raising their family. One of Lee’s greatest joys in life was spending time with his grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Papa Lee.” Lee’s loyalty and commitment to his family were among his many admirable qualities.
Lee was a successful entrepreneur who, together with his father, uncle, and brother, grew Galaxie Marine Service, Inc. into a bustling boat business before selling it in 1997 to Seacor Marine Holdings, Inc., where he continued as the Gulf of Mexico Crew & Utility Vessel Manager for several years. He founded and successfully managed Lee Felterman & Assoc., a boat brokerage company, with his son, Marc. In recent years, much of his time was spent restoring properties in Patterson.
Throughout his life, Lee had a passion for improving his community. He chaired and held positions in various organizations. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the Wedell Williams Memorial Foundation, Secretary and Board Member of The Felterman Foundation, and a member and past president of St. Mary Parish Wax Lake East Drainage District. Lee was a longtime member and past president of the Patterson Rotary Club. He was also a member of the River Preservation Association, St. Mary Industrial Group, Louisiana State Museum Board of Commissioners, Offshore Marine Service Association, Knights of Columbus, Krewe of Adonis, member and past Chairman of Atchafalaya Chapter American Petroleum Institute, past member of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, and a lifelong member of the Patterson Volunteer Fire Department.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Jan Bernard Felterman; their children, Erin F. Nichols and her husband Thomas, Ben Felterman and his wife Adrienne, and Marc Felterman and his wife Crystal; and nine grandchildren, Cecilia Felterman, Evan Nichols, Charles Felterman, Owen Nichols, Charlotte Felterman, Kayson Felterman, Caroline Felterman, Elliot Nichols and Kamri Felterman. He is also survived by his brothers, Danny Felterman and his wife Linda and Jody Felterman and his wife Beth; and his sister, Lisa F. Kornegay and her husband Brightman.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, F.C. “Butch” Felterman Jr. and Sylvia Folse Felterman; paternal grandparents, Fulton C. Felterman, Sr. and Una B. Felterman; maternal grandparents, Sylvester J. Folse and Irma Rochel Folse; brothers, David Felterman and Jon Felterman, Sr.; and nephew, Chad Felterman.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that Masses be offered for the repose of his soul. Donations can also be made in Lee’s memory to the Wedell-Williams Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 38, Patterson, Louisiana, 70392 or to the Dup15q Alliance, 250 N Trade St, Ste 205 PMB 155, Matthews, NC 28105, https://dup15q.org/.
Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1111 Lia Street, Patterson, LA 70392, (985) 395-7873.