99-летний ветеран Второй мировой войны Лерой Деруэн продолжает строить дома своими руками

Leroy Derouen: From WWII to a life built by hand LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - A World War II veteran in Gueydan will be celebrating his 99th birthday soon, and he is looking to continue a long-standing tradition of building homes by hand. Leroy Derouen is still known to take a drive on a sunny day in his convertible. But Leroy can remember a time growing up in Gueydan when you had to test drive the English language. “It was a kind of thing that for me my dad. Couldn’t talk English when he came here from New Iberia. He talked French, and I’d go 20 or 30 miles, and they couldn’t talk English. And I couldn’t talk French, so I learned it.” Leroy later joined the Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Iowa during World War II. And amongst the ammunition and tight quarters, Leroy was also sharing the ship with a suite that was made for a presidential guest. “They had a suite and a bathroom with President Roosevelt on the ship, and at times he was on it.” But once he was back home, tragedy struck when, due to a house fire, Leroy lost all his memorabilia and everything that he considered valuable. “Everything I had, plus $2,400.” But Derouen did walk away with something: a lifetime worth of knowledge of carpentry that put him right to work rebuilding his home that his family still lives in to this day. That includes everything from the wiring to the windows. Leroy says this option suited him better than waiting around for any insurance company. And even if asked what he’d do today at 99, he would have the same reply: “Just build it back myself.” While the mindset is intact, Leroy is acknowledging a need to adjust his carpentry approach as the same hands that have built multiple homes are now those that need some rest. “Still trying to do it. But man, I need some new tools for these old hands.” And building homes is something that Leroy can recall being a long family tradition with no excuses, just equipment. “We do it all. Build houses and cabinets and everything.” Derouen can pull from his grandfather’s guidance, as Jesse Owens was a pioneer in Gueydan. As a former slave, Owens built one of the first homes there. And his legacy lives on as the local elementary school bears his name. But Leroy’s new job is not only being a grandfather to 14 kids, but also a great-grandfather to 41, and a great-great-granddad to soon-to-be 4 more. So as he fires up the grill for his 99th, Leroy will host his party in a party space that, of course, was built by hand. Copyright 2026 KPLC. All rights reserved.