Julian John Levasseur Jr. passed away April 26, 2026, after 92 well lived years.
Born in Coronado California, he spent most of his youth attending boarding schools while his father traveled around the world as a U.S. Naval Officer and his mother raised his younger brother. One of the most defining moments of his early life occurred during World War II, when he was in Pearl Habor, Hawaii, hiding under a mattress with his mother during the Japanese attack. His father was the highest-ranking officer on the U.S.S. Oklahoma which was the first ship torpedoed and sank in Pearl Habor. His father’s Naval Academy class ring sits in the Naval Archive Museum in Annapolis MD.
After high school he attended a couple of universities, including Johns Hopkins, before enrolling at West Point Academy where he was a member of both the wrestling and lacrosse teams. After graduation from West Point, he was a member of the 173rd airborne division. During this time, he met his first wife, Mary Jean Wittelsberger, whom he married immediately after graduating from West Point in 1958. He went on to get a master’s degree in Nuclear Physics from Stevens Institute and served 23 years in the Military including tours in Vietnam and Korea before retiring in Huntsville, Alabama in 1981 from Redstone Arsenal as a Lieutenant Colonel. After retiring he worked for Teledyne Brown engineering for several years and lived in various places including Mobile, Alabama; Hawaii, and Venezuela where he met his 2nd wife, Marisabel Arreaza.
Julian, known by his family and friends as” Jay,” or “JJ,” was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Hyle Levasseur; and his first wife, Mary Jean Levasseur. He is survived by his current wife, Marisabel Levasseur; five children, Jay Levasseur, Jeffrey Levasseur, Dee Campobasso, Jacqueline Love, and Noelle Moffet; eight grandchildren, Jaylyn, Corley, Joshua, Anna, Kris, Quentin, Victoria and Dustin; and his five great-grandchildren, Baylee, Braylyn, Avi, Mackenzie, and Aiden. He is also survived by three stepdaughters, Cristina Perdomo (and her son, Daniel), Maria Perdomo (and her sons, Rik and Rafael), and Beatriz Perdomo (and her daughters, Oriana and Donatella).
Jay had an array of passions and hobbies, including raising pet fish, collecting butterflies, growing orchids, scuba diving, collecting coins, gardening and spending time in nature. At times he had a garage full of fish tanks, which he meticulously cared for daily. At other times he built greenhouses that he kept full of orchids where he also spent his spare time attending to them. He even crossed orchards and created his own unique varieties. His love for orchids led him to serve as the President of the Heart of Dixie Orchid Society for several years.
He traveled extensively throughout the United Stated and abroad in search of rare butterflies, one of which was named in his honor. During these trips he also looked for orchids to add to his collections. Sometimes he brought his family and turned these trips into vacations. Family meant everything to Jay, and he cherished time spent traveling and exploring the world with those he loved.
Julian was a loving father, husband, grandfather, mentor and friend to many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him and forever loved.
