Dr. Lionel Barraza

Lionel Gennaro Barraza was a handsome, smart and honorable gentleman who shared his love of life, his surprising sense of humor and unparalleled generosity with everyone he encountered. A dedicated and compassionate physician who received special recognition for his 50 years of professional service, Lionel pioneered diagnostic radiology at St. Francis Hospital and furthered its advancement by starting the Radiological Technology program at ULM. He was also an accomplished artist, cartoonist, photographer and meticulous craftsman who appreciated beauty and reveled in numerous hobbies which he mastered. A patient teacher, he instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of creativity and learning - about horticulture and orchid growing, birding, fishing, golf, archery, wine-making and mixology, model ship building, coin, stamp and map collecting, ballroom dancing, travel and outdoor adventure. He shared his appreciation of all music styles and of movies, and remembered every actor’s name. Lionels commitment, passion and gentle influence is evidenced today by the many young people - both family and friends - whose professional and private lives he inspired and nurtured.Lionel was born on July 4, 1925, in the great City of New Orleans, Louisiana, a place that always retained a special place in his heart. His mother, Josephine “Gommie” Barraza, a beautiful Godchaux model, put Lionel and his brother Donald through their esteemed Jesuit High School after their father, Lionel Rudolph Barraza, passed away. Lionel attended Loyola University before being recruited to Officer Candidate School (V12) where he was the 'single Southerner' at Notre Dame. There he perfected and retained throughout life what his family jokingly called his perfect “radio accent.” During World War II Lionel was Navy Ensign, Division Officer and Diary Photographer for the Blatchford, the largest troop transport ship in the Navy. Traveling from the California coast to ports around the world he documented in pictures ship maneuvers, war-ravaged cities, historic landmarks and people in places all over the Pacific. Along with the ship’s Captain, Lionel was one of the first three men to set foot on Nagasaki after the atomic bomb devastated the Japanese city. He spoke often of the appalling silence on the island, where not even insects or birds survived. Recently he gave recorded testimony about his war-time experiences which are housed in the National Archives in Washington DC. After the War, Lionel returned to New Orleans and graduated from Tulane University and LSU Medical School. After Lionels internship and residency in Cleveland, Ohio and Columbus, GA, the Barraza family settled in Monroe, LA, where they were at home close to extended family. Lionel adored more than anyone and anything his wife of 65 years, Mary Elise Frellsen Barraza of Baskin, LA. The two met at Charity Hospital in New Orleans when Lionel was a medical student and 'M’Elise' was head nurse in the surgical ward. She scolded Lionel and his fellow students for leaving an elderly patient fully exposed during examination. Lionel was wowed by her confident smarts, her dignity and sense of humanity, and within three months they were married. Together the couple lovingly raised four children and enjoyed a happy presence in the lives of nine grandchildren. Lionel’s memory will be forever present in the lives of his surviving wife Mary Elise; son Dr. Mike Barraza of Monroe, his wife Dr. Janis Bunch, their four children - grandson Dr. Michael Barraza and wife Ashley with great-granddaughter Abigail of Nashville, TN, granddaughters Julie Barraza of Monroe and Aimee Barraza of New York, and grandson Daniel Barraza at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA; Daughter Ann Daigle of New Orleans, granddaughter Laura Daigle and partner Scott Norris of New Orleans, great-granddaughter Olivia Eleanor Norris, granddaughter Jennifer Hendricks and husband Matt; Daughter Laura French of Dallas, TX, and husband James, granddaughters Alexandra French of New York and Camille French of Dallas, TX; Daughter Robin Coulter and husband Ernie Coulter, with grandson Nick Coulter and granddaughter Cate Coulter of Dallas, TX.Lionel passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on July 28, 2015. Visitation will be held at 1:00 pm on Friday, July 31, in Kilbourne Hall at Grace Episcopal Church. The service will follow at 2:00 in the sanctuary. Lionel will be interred in the Grace Columbarium. Arrangements under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe, LA.