Dr. Allen Ellender

Dr. Allen Joseph Ellender Jr. , 93, died Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 07:45AM peacefully at home. He was a native of Houma, LA and resident of Houma, LA. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 from 8:30am to 10:30am at St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 10:30am at St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church. Burial: St. Francis de Sales Cemetery #2 He is survived by his, Sons: Allen Ellender III of Boise Idaho, Gerald Ellender and Mary of Houma LA, William Ellender of Houma LA, Michael Ellender of Folsom LA, Claude Ellender of Abita Springs LA, Charles Ellender of Abita Springs LA, David Ellender and Mary Alison of Houma LA, Jules Ellender and wife Susan of Metairie LA, Frank Ellender and wife Sandy of Houma LA, Elward Ellender and wife Margaret of Houma LA, Daughters: Maria Ellender Florek and husband Mike of Kenner LA, Sister Lucia "Nancy" Ellender OCD, of Little Rock Ar, Carmen Ellender Waitz and husband David of Houma LA, Grandchildren: Shannah Ellender, Jessica Ellender, Joshua Ellender, Cory Firmin, Sarah Ellender, Callie Ellender Blalock, Jamie Ellender, Julie Ellender Grice, Ricky Ellender, Andy Florek, Katie Florek, Ashley Ellender Lasseigne, Matthew Ellender, Claire Ellender, Kathryn Ellender, Andrew Ellender, Caroline Ellender, Jack Walsten, Will Walsten, Brian Waitz, Christopher Waitz, Jacob Waitz, Stephen Waitz, Kami Ellender, Carly Ellender, Ian Ellender, William Brennan Ellender, Evan Ellender, Noah Ellender, Great Grandchildren: Brooke Ellender, Anakyn Quina, Tate Quina, Sophie Quina, Ava Ellender, Audrey Ellender, Elise Blalock, Alex Blalock, Colin Blalock, Liza Ellender, Emily Grice, Ari Ellender, Long time family friend and devoted caregiver Laura Collins, He was preceded in death by his, Wife: Ligia Ribas Ellender, Parents: Allen Joseph Ellender Sr. and Helen Donnelly Ellender He was a parishioner of St. Gregory Barbarigo Catholic Church. Dr. Allen J. Ellender, Jr was the only child of US Senator Allen J. Ellender Sr., and Helen Calhoun Donnelly. He spent his entire life in the role of service to others. His early years of service was evidenced by his becoming the first Eagle Scout in Troop 306 and by his winning the American Legion Award in high school. Dr. Ellender held degree from Lorton Preparatory School in Houma; Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia; and Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. After he received his formal education, Dr. Ellender completed an internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans while simultaneously serving in the United States Army Air Force. Upon his discharge from the service, Dr. Allen began the general practice of medicine and then spent his residency in orthopedics and general surgery at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. He practiced surgery for more than twenty years and industrial medicine for more than a decade. Dr. Ellender was a Diplomat of the American Board of Surgery (ABS) and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He was a Diplomat of the International College of Surgeons, a member of the Surgeons Association of Louisiana, the Terrebonne Parish Medical Society, the Southern Medical Society, and the American Medical Society. Dr. Allen served as a board member of Charity Hospital of in New Orleans for eight years. He was the Chief of Staff at Terrebonne General Hospital in 1963 and was a board member for six years. Dr. Ellender was a civilian doctor for the 657 Radar Squadron in Houma for more than twelve years and was the civil defense medical director of Terrebonne until 1989, servicing for more than twenty-five years. He served the Catholic Church as a member of the St Francis school board, and St. Gregory school board. Dr. Allen gave selflessly to his community in other ways as a member of the home rule charter of Houma committee, a member of the American Bank board, and the initial membership chairman for Ellendale Country Club. For fifteen years he served as a member of the board of the Terrebonne Historical and Cultural Society; and for sixteen years he served as a member of the board of the Housing Authority of Houma, thirteen of those years as chairman. Dr. Ellender was also a member of the Intracoastal Realty Board (the old Houma Country Club and Gulf Course), and he served as past president of several corporations. He enjoyed membership with the American Camellia Society. As a professional, his compassion for others compelled him to serve his community through medicine. He helped the handicapped students at TARC by giving them physical examinations. He volunteered his medical services to those in need throughtout the communtiy and beyond.. He was also the physician for the Whiskey Pass Rodeo. Dr. Ellender was very active as a parent volunteer in the latters days of St. Francis High School and the early years of Vandebilt Catholic High School. A major supporter of Catholic education, Dr. Allen was instrumental in equipping the first science laboratory at the St. Francis Boys School in the mid-1960's. He met the love of his life Ligia, in Puerto Rico,at the 330th station hospital at Borinquen Field (AAC) while serving in World War II. They enjoyed sixty-six years of marriage. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and working in his yard. . He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, send donations to St Gregory School in Houma, and Vandebilt High School. To request Masses and prayers, please send Mass and prayer offerings to Discalced Carmelite Nuns of Little Rock Arkansas. 7201 West 32nd Street, Little Rock Arkansas, 72204-4716.