The Voice of Southwest Louisiana

By Rhonda Babin
Ronnie’s Ingredients:
Birth Date: August 23, 1944
Parents: The Late Lorice &
Homer Mesh
Spouse: Linda
Sibling: The Late Richard Mesh
Child: Christina
Grandchildren: Ricky, Jacob,
Caleb, Micah, Moriah, Jake,
& Austin
Great-Grandchildren: Kiersten,
Liam, Autumn, & Levi
Pets: Dogs: Jolie Noir, Lucy,
Ricky, & Blacky
Hometown: Lake Charles
Current Residence:
Lake Charles
Standard “Dishing With”
Questions:
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: I like any kind of food.
Q: What did you last cook?
A: A bowl of cereal. It’s been
a while since I cooked. The
last thing would have been
eggs that I mixed with left
over vegetables and meat
to make an omelet.
Q: What would your last
meal be?
A: Something that takes a long
time to cook and a longer
time to eat.
Q: What do you ‘dish’ about
at the dinner table?
A: People and what they are
posting on Facebook.
The month of hearts is here.
February brings to mind all
things heart related. This year
the celebration of Valentine’s
Day and Mardi Gras happen
within the same week and for
29 days American Heart Month
is observed.
Someone who knows a lot
about all things involving the
heart is Ronald Lee “Ronnie”
Mesh. His experiences range
from a five bypass open heart
surgery to being Krewe du Bon
Coeur (Good Heart) King this
year. Mesh’s history involves
several things that warm the
heart.
Near and dear to his heart
are church, country, and family.
Mesh spent his early years
in Carlyss before the family
moved to Lake Charles. He became
a parishioner of Immaculate
Conception Cathedral in
1948. He continues to worship
there today and is the Head
Usher for the Sunday 11:15 a.m.
Mass.
He graduated from Landry
Memorial in 1962. After graduation,
Ronnie joined the Air
Force, serving for four years
during the Vietnam War in locations
throughout the Orient.
After serving his country,
Mesh returned to Lake Charles
and, with his brother Richard,
started the first fiberglass business
in the area as a result of
not being able to find parts to
repair a wrecked car. Mesh Plastics
specialized in
boat repair and
offshore work.
For a time,
Mesh drove 18
wheelers cross country.
His heart filled with love
when he met Linda in
Houston, Texas. They
married and she rode
with him until daughter
Christina came along
and Mesh wanted a
non-traveling occupation.
Continuing
to work with
anything on
wheels,
Mesh opened Towaways
Wrecker Service and ran the
business for years with his wife
Linda at his side. Today he takes
an advisory role while his wife
and daughter are responsible
for the daily operations.
In 2004, Mesh suffered a
heart attack which led to bypass
surgery. With lifestyle
changes including not smoking,
no longer drinking beer
(which he loves), and staying
active, Mesh leads a full life and
King Ronnie
Mesh and
Queen K J
Smith in
their full
regalia.
The dogs
Lucy,
Blacky,
and Ricky
wait for a
treat.
Newest
edition
to the
family is
German
Shepherd
Jolie
Noir.
continues to do the things
that keeps his heart as healthy
as possible.
Having a good time is one
of the best things Mesh believes
you can do to keep your
heart healthy. He joined Krewe
du Bon Coeur in 2008 and is a
lively member. He was Duke of
Tee Mamou in 2012 and proudly
reigns as King this year. Other
activities include membership
in Idlers Car Club, being a fourth
degree Knight in the Knights of
Columbus and attending the
original Cursillo.
Mesh plays the piano, gardens,
grills, bass fishes, attends
hot rod car shows, and is a German
Shepherd owner and enthusiast.
He is known for pulling
jokes and pranks on his friends.
A proud Cajun that enjoys
the joie de vivre of living in
Southwest Louisiana, Mesh encourages
the community to get
involved with all the beauty and
activities that surround Lake
Charles. It will do your heart
good!
Mary Gentry
General Manager
Hampton Inn
mary.gentry@hilton.com
3175 Holly Hill Rd.
Lake Charles, LA
337.480.6443
Fax: 337.480.6436
hampton.com
FEBRUARY 2016 THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 3 • Number 7 Volume 3 • Number 7 THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM FEBRUARY 2016