Joseph C. Reina Sr.

Joseph “J.C.” Camile Reina Sr., 99, of Lake Charles, La. passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026, in the comfort of his home.

Mr. Reina was born Oct. 17,1926 in Lake Charles to Joe and Magdelena Reina. He graduated from Lake Charles High School in 1944. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps during WW II where he served in the Pacific Theater until 1946. His love for baseball allowed him to play while in the Service.

Upon returning from the Service, he enrolled in Lake Charles Junior College and then later graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.S. Degree in Math and Physics in 1951. He later earned his M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision.

He began his career as a teacher and football coach at Creole High school. He led his six-man football team to the state championship. After Hurricane Audrey, he taught for a year at Bell City High School. He later accepted the position as principal of Cameron Elementary School and then to South Cameron High School, until his retirement in January 1980.

Through mutual Cameron Parish friends he met Aline ‘Madge’ Meaux from Oak Grove. They were married on Dec. 26, 1953, and have been married for 72 years. They both taught at South Cameron High School until her retirement in May 1980.

They settled into retirement with time spent with family, friends, and their many activities at home.

Mr. Reina had a creative mind and humbly put his intellect to practical use. He loved doing drafting work and designed numerous house plans for himself, family, and friends. An avid outdoorsman, Mr. Reina spent much of his life as a cattleman, raising cattle and feeding his heifers at the Bluff. He had a passion for gardening which came naturally but was always reading anything we could on the subject. In recent years, he spent time on his iPad to learn what he could on gardening and all subjects. He was successful in growing a wide variety of vegetables, citrus, and pecans trees. He spent many hours in his garden often waving to the cars passing by and sharing his bounty if they stopped. His success in the garden meant Madge was kept busy shelling, shucking, pealing, and canning all that he brought into the house.

When the garden did not keep him busy enough, he perfected other hobbies. He grew and painted gourds, designed and made model airplanes, built birdhouses and wooden boxes for the grandchildren.

He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Creole for nearly 70 years.

Mr. Reina was a humble man who earned the respect of those who knew him. He prided himself on being fair with everyone. He had a thoughtful way of offering guidance and sharing his perspective while respecting the opinions and ideas of others. He lived by faith with love for and devotion to his family. His intellect, wisdom, quiet humility, and willingness to help others will be remembered by all who knew him.

He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of 72 years, Aline ‘Madge’ Meaux Reina of Lake Charles; four children, Ro Risa Reina Pearce (James “Jimmy”), Joseph “Joey” Camile Reina Jr. (Diana Sue), Renee Aline Reina and John “Johnny” Henry Reina (Chantal), all of Lake Charles; seven grandchildren, Michael James Pearce (Krystle), Mitchell Allen Pearce (Nikki), Katelyn Sue Reina LeLeux (Michael), Kathryn Aline Reina Badon (Dustin), Kristopher Joseph Reina and fiancé Ellie, John Anthony Reina and James David Reina; six great-grandchildren, Audreanna Marie, Anthony Michael, Dominic Joseph and Nicholas Allen Pearce and Wrynn Camile and Axell Joseph Badon, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter; his parents; two brothers, Nicholas Reina and Howard Reina, and two sisters, Lucy Reina Klock and Bessie Reina Belinger.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. He would have been 100 years old on this day. Father Joseph Caraway will officiate. Interment services with Military honors will follow at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Creole. Visitation Friday will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a Rosary service beginning at 6 p.m. Visitation Saturday will be from 8 p.m. until 10 a.m. in the funeral home.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfunera home.net.