Popular Slidell Elk killed in motorcycle accident

By Anne Lautzenheiser
St. Tammany News
Published on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 9:48 AM CDT

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A weekend motorcycle trip turned tragic for a well-known member of the Slidell Elks Lodge 2321.

Elmo Champagne, 68, was traveling on Arkansas Highway 7, just south of Arkadelphia, with members of several local lodges on May 31. According to Arkansas State Police, the Harley Davidson he was riding crossed the center line about 6:40 p.m., and collided with a 1999 Nissan, driven by James Pendergist of Monticello, Ark.

Champagne, who was wearing a helmet, was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Champagne

Pendergist was uninjured, as were the two children riding with him. Police reports say the weather was clear, and alcohol was not involved.

“Arkansas State Law requires blood work to be done immediately in all fatalities,” said Cpl. Ron Casey of Troop K, Arkansas State Police. “This was not in any way an alcohol-related incident.”

Champagne filled many roles in at Lodge 2321, where he was a member for nearly 30 years.

Most recently he was chaplain, and he served as Exalted Ruler on two different occasions. A former past president of the Louisiana Elks Association, he was involved in a number of lodge projects and fundraising activities.

“He chaired the Hoop Shoot for several years and had a big part in the bingo nights,” said current Exalted Ruler Charlesray Neight. “I know there’s a lot of bingo players that are going to miss him.”

In keeping with the Elks’ mission of supporting public safety, Champagne was familiar with several law enforcement leaders in the community. He was instrumental in helping the Slidell Police Department obtain new equipment after Hurricane Katrina.

“He helped us get a sizable donation after the storm, which we used to replace a number of Tasers,” said Slidell Police Chief Freddy Drennan. “He was the nicest guy in the world, and that was very sad news to hear of his accident. It just ruined my day.”

Services will take place Thursday at Honaker Funeral Home, 1751 Gause Blvd. West in Slidell.

Visitation are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a funeral mass and interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

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Comments

19 comment(s)

C.D. Austin Tx wrote on Apr 16, 2011 6:15 AM:

" Mr ELMO will be missed all over the ARK-LA-TEX ....

God bless this true son of the south..... My thoughts and prayers geaux out to his family. "

Lindsey St.Pe wrote on Sep 26, 2008 8:09 PM:

" I love u so much and miss u Paw-Paw!!!!! Thank u who is praying for him. Angelle and Breanne is pray for u Paw-Paw too !!!! U are in my thought!!!!!!! "

kathleen billiot wrote on Jun 21, 2008 9:06 PM:

" just want to say to Sherry and her Familey I am truly sorry.. I have been a friend of Sherry's for over 30 years. And I grew up knowning her Mom and Dad and they were very cool parents.
And I will always keep Mrs. Rhodie her familey in my prayers. "

Karen Champagne Constanza wrote on Jun 21, 2008 2:13 PM:

" After reading all of the wonderful comments about my father I was truly touched. It lighten my heart and gave me some piece of mind to know that my father had someone pray over him in his time of need. Thank you all for taking the time to write such meaningful thoughts about my father. He was an awesome husband, father, and grandfather. I think of my father every minute of the day and I know that we will be together again one day. With family and faith in God we will get through this. JMJD "

Sherry St. Pe wrote on Jun 20, 2008 9:24 PM:

" I would like to thank everyone who took the time to post a good word about my dad and to the people who didn't even know him.I love reading everything that ya'll have to say.Knowing how well loved he was and how many prayers we have is such a great feeling.He was a great dad.I feel that my life is so filled with love and I have my mom and dad to thank for that.Life can change so quickly but with friends,family,faith and God's love we will be ok. I'll love my dad forever until we're together again.Love always "

William Boudreaux wrote on Jun 9, 2008 7:12 AM:

" Brother Elmo Champange was an Elk among the Elks. He exemplified what Elks are truly about and that is CHARITY. He gave of himself to his local community and to our state in countless ways. I was proud to have called him a friend and the Louisiana Elks have suffered a great loss.

William Boudreaux
President
Louisiana Elks Association "

Don Pepper wrote on Jun 8, 2008 2:23 PM:

" Elmo was a true friend, one of the greatest Elks I have ever known. And I am proud to say that I was able to make him a Honorary Texas Elk. He carried his honor well and and made us proud. We as Texans will miss him and send our love to Rhoda.

Don Pepper PSP
TESA "

Chris Garcia wrote on Jun 8, 2008 9:09 AM:

" From the moment I became a member, I could see that Elmo stood out as a leader. Explaining in detail all I needed to know and what privilege it was to be an Elk. He was a man of great morals and will be missed greatly. "

Bruce Carriere wrote on Jun 6, 2008 11:28 PM:

" Mo was a good guy and will be sadly missed. Although I moved away several years ago to Michigan, I still kept in contact with him via email. We were both Harley owners and in addition to our time with the Elks we shared a common interest of bike riding. Each time I hit the road I will remember Mo and say a prayer for his soul in Heaven and his family who awaits their reunion with him. You are sadly missed Brother. "

Pastor Duane Amis wrote on Jun 5, 2008 11:09 PM:

" I too came upon the wreck just after it had happened. I stood and prayed over him as we waited for the ambulance. I also held the hands of the family that was in the car and prayed for them as they were shook up. I requested prayer for his family in my church on Sunday morning. May the Holy Spirit comfort his family now and the days ahead. "

Charle H. Schmuck wrote on Jun 5, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Elmo was fun to be around. He loved a good time as when he rode on Mardi Gras.
He got me involved in Ritual Contests and I will always be grateful for all his help. "

Tom Hamilton wrote on Jun 5, 2008 9:54 AM:

" One person I always looked forward to seeing at Statewide functions was Elmo and his brigtht face will be sorefully missed all.I know Loretta and I miss him most at Hoop Shoot contesatsLodgte 2321 you lost a statue. Our prayers "

Bill Hart wrote on Jun 4, 2008 9:32 PM:

" Elmo was a true friend and a great Elk. We will miss him in Texas as will Louisiana. He had a lot of Texas Elk friends.

Bill Hart, Past State President
Texas Elks State Association "

Brice Palmer wrote on Jun 4, 2008 8:08 PM:

" Elmo was a very close friend of mine.
He could joke and be serious at the same time. He loved God and was an example of how a man should love his
wife and family. He lived Elkdom and was an inspiration to many of us. He fought for what he thought was right
no matter the consequences. Everything he did became a mission and he did it well. He was a man you could talk to and what he said made a lot of sense. He was one of kind. He was Elmo. "

Terry Bruno Elks Lodge wrote on Jun 4, 2008 4:37 PM:

" Elmo was truly a gentleman.He had a tremendous sense of humor and always fun to be around.Elmo had the welfare of his fellow man always in mind. He always practiced the motto of our Benevolent and Protective Order, "Elks Care---Elks Share.
Elmo will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. "

Tammy Duhon wrote on Jun 4, 2008 3:25 PM:

" The thing I admired most about Elmo was his relationship with Miss Rhoda. When watching the two together I would smile knowing that two people can still love each other so much after so many years. My prayers are with the entire family and especially with Miss Rhoda. Elmo will be missed by many and I am proud to be in that number. It was an honor to Know him. "

April Harper wrote on Jun 4, 2008 1:53 PM:

" I did not know Elmo Champagne but I have a feeling that I will remember his name forever. My husband and I were driving home Saturday when we witnessed this horrific tragedy. We stayed with him and his dear friends until the ambulance arrived. From the great people around him I can honestly say he will be truly missed. On behalf of my husband and I, we want to send our deepest condolences too his family and friends. May God be with his motorcycle buddies and always keep them safe. "

jim cade wrote on Jun 4, 2008 11:43 AM:

" It is indeed a sad time in Elkdom as we have lost a true brother in Elmo. I have such fond memories of Elmo from my brief time with the Elks. But I will always remember him as a man who could light a room just by being there. He was the concumate professional when he attended any Elk function and I remember especially his handling of the annual Hoop Shoot competition. The faults of members we write upon the sand, their virtues upon the tablets of love and memory. "

Ken Walbert wrote on Jun 4, 2008 10:38 AM:

" Elmo was one of the good guys and of the highest integrity. He always stood for right and fought for what was the right thing to do. I, along with all Louisiana Elks will miss him and his sense of humor.
Ken Walbert, PSP "

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