Gary Desselles

Gary Joseph Desselles, 61, passed away July 11, 2022 after a hard fought battle with colon cancer.  Gary was born in New Orleans on August 13, 1960 to the late Foster Desselles and Audrey Mayeux Desselles. He is survived by his wife, Tracy Willson Desselles; sons, Colby and Bailey Desselles; sisters, Joyce DuSaules, and Connie Fossier (Dennis); and three nephews, Derek Fossier (Samantha), Spencer Fossier, and Blake Fossier (Nancy).

Gary graduated from East Jefferson High School in 1978 and began working construction before having a career ending injury.  He then attended Southeastern Louisiana University and graduated with a degree in Computer Science.  After graduation he was a partner in Tammany Computer Consulting and sole owner of CPWYNT, Inc.  He developed a very successful career as IT for many major businesses in the Covington/Mandeville area over the last 28 years.  He was often the lone IT person for large businesses and was well respected in the industry.  He built many lasting friendships through his work, always thinking of them as friends instead of work acquaintances and often kept in touch with many long after completing their work.

Gary had a love for almost anything outdoors, especially the water.  He took up sailing as a teenager and participated in many regattas in the New Orleans/Gulf Coast area, and was a former member of the New Orleans Southern Yacht Club.  He loved to scuba dive and was a rescue diver for a short while.  He taught himself how to build and rebuild motors, work on anything with an engine, and could build almost anything.  He loved for someone to bring him something and say ‘no one else could fix it’.  This was his favorite challenge!  And he was always successful at solving it.

In 1999 Gary married his best friend, Tracy Willson Desselles, and had 2 sons, Colby and Bailey Desselles.  This brought on a whole other level of joy.  Through his wife he learned about farming, cows, tractors, and life in the country.  This was something new for him and he looked forward to building a home in Kentwood so he could have his own ‘toys’ and work the land.  Through his boys he learned about football, swim meets, basketball, band and track.  He volunteered for their teams and loved supporting them and bragging on their accomplishments. He passed on his love of cooking to both boys and looked forward to hearing about their new dishes and what they cooked for their friends.

He never met a stranger and could have a conversation with anyone.  He considered his friends as family and was often the first person they would call for help. Ask anyone who knew him and they are sure to have a favorite story to tell about their friendship and time together.  Gary will be greatly missed by so many.

Visitation will be Friday, July 15, 2022 from 10:00 am to 1:00 p.m. with Mass to follow at Bagnell and Sons in Covington, La.  A private graveside service will be held at a later date.  Honorary Pall Bearers will be Steve Chunn, Errol Dufrene, Rodney Dufrene, Brennan Murphy, David Hebert, and Ty Primo.