James Henry Couturié, PLS, PE died Monday November 7, 2011 at the age of 72 years. Mr. Couturié was a native of New Orleans. He was the beloved husband of Mary Nannette Williams of Cairo, Georgia and father of Angèle N. Couturié, Renée Couturié-Parker and André K. Couturié and brother to Sr. Judith Couturié, CSJ, André D. Couturié and the Late Thomas W. Couturié. His parents were the late J. André Couturié and Angèle Delery Couturié Wilder.
Mr. Couturié was owner of Gilbert, Kelly and Couturié Surveyors and Engineers, which provides services for the Parishes of Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist and Plaquemines. The company began as Gilbert & Kelly in September of 1921 with Errol E. Kelly and Horatio L. Gilbert at the helm. In 1968 Mr. James Couturié joined and the company incorporated as Gilbert, Kelly & Couturié, Inc.
Jimmy or “Grumpy”, as he was affectionately known, was a mentor to me as a surveyor and a gentleman, a small indication of his influence since we never worked together in the same firm or on the same projects. I, for one, will sorely miss his presence.
Jimmy graduated from Tulane University in 1964; held licenses as a Professional Land Surveyor and as a Professional Engineer. He served the Louisiana Society of Professional Surveyors as president in 1974 and was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Knights of Columbus, the Arts Council of New Orleans and was an advisor to the group “Rebuild New Orleans Now” among many others.
There will be visitation on Thursday November 10, 2011 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM and again at 9:00AM on Friday November 11, 2011 until 11:00AM when there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Interment will be in the Metairie Cemetery All Saints Mausoleum.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 2605 River Road, New Orleans, LA 70121. There will be an on-line guest book one may sign at http://www.lakelawnmetairie.com.
Au revoir, Jimmy.