Ernest F. Clooney Jr

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension for Ernest F. Clooney, Jr., 95, who passed away on January 12, 2024, after a brief illness. The Reverend Jordan Hylden and the Reverend Honey Becker will be the Celebrants of the Service. Internment will take place in Lafayette Memorial Park Mausoleum. Ernie, a resident of Lafayette, was the son of the late Ernest F. Clooney, Sr. and the former Leota Kirkpatrick. He was born on May 3, 1928 in Lake Charles, LA. Upon graduating High School, Ernie joined the Navy (November 18, 1945-1947), as Quartermaster 2nd Class on USS Astoria. After Navy, he attended McNeese State, in Lake Charles, LA on the GI Bill (2 yr. college) and then enrolled in SLI (Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now UL Lafayette) to complete his Business of Administration degree. While attending SLI, Ernie met the love of his life Gerry and they were married on September 16, 1951, in Breaux Bridge, LA. Ernie went onto work for Tidewater Oil Company as an Oil Scout in 1951, later becoming a Landman. In 1958, Ernie went independent, instead of being transferred to San Antonio, Texas. He worked as a Landman and Lease Broker for various Oil companies and independent operators; in addition to assembling well deals with several different geologists, until his retirement in 2015. A proud member of the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) for over 50 years, Ernie was also a longtime member and formerly on the Board of Directors (1965, 1966 & 1967) of the Petroleum Club of Lafayette. Since 1956, Ernie was a devoted member of The Episcopal Church of the Ascension and ushered for over 50 years. He was instrumental in fundraising for the building of the Episcopal School of Acadiana (ESA) in Cade, LA. A true sports fanatic until the end, as he would arrange his daily schedule around televised football, baseball, basketball, and golf; and he especially enjoyed watching the LSU Tigers and the Houston Astros. He is survived by his children; Colleen Clooney, William Clooney (Cory), Kathy Mendez (Salvador), Nancy Terhune (Barclay), Robert Clooney (Marsha) and Carolyn Gray (Quinn); 13 grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Geraldine Guidry Clooney; and his parents. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home - Bertrand on Friday, January 19, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Pallbearers will be Cody Clooney, Hayden Gray, Quinn Gray, Michael Lundberg, Salvador Mendez MD, and William Terhune. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to kidney.org, or donate.cancer.org, or to a charity of your choice, in memory of Ernest F. Clooney, Jr. Personal condolences may be sent to the family of Ernest F. Clooney, Jr. at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Ernest F. Clooney Jr. and his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. January 2024

Ernest F. Clooney Jr

May 3, 1928 - January 12, 2024