Clayton Anthony Daigle

Clayton Daigle was born in his Grandma Bergeron’s home in Ponchatoula, Louisiana on February 5th, 1952, to the late Elphege and Shirley Daigle. He ascended into Heavenly glory on Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, at his home in Ponchatoula. He was held and surrounded by loving family and friends who experienced the wondrous mixture of sorrow and joy that comes only from seeing a loved one depart to be healed and made anew in God’s kingdom.

Clayton was a peaceful man of calm yet stern disposition. A real man’s man, you listened to what he said, especially if he told you to get out of his chair. But for all his sternness, he was equally gentle and loving. He was a jokester, a thinker, and a walking encyclopedia with a wit quicker than lightning. He was, all told, a simple man that was strong in his faith—if his wife and kids were provided for, he was happy. He’d done his job and that was enough. About the only worldly lagniappe he needed was the occasional fishing trip, mountain view, and Bonnie Alice’s red beans. LSU winning a national title here and there certainly didn’t hurt.

Clayton was a lifelong lover of sports. He played football under coach Sidney Vicknair at St Joseph. At PHS he was a letterman in both track and football and was proud to be coached by Virgil Allen on the gridiron. He was a solid track & field athlete but was most well known as the hardnosed running back wearing the number 33. Later, he would coach his kids in baseball, softball, and soccer. He loved seeing his own kids and the other kids grow on the field.

Like many children of the time, after he graduated, he received a senior trip to the Vietnam war. He served honorably in the United States Army. He did his basic training at Ft. Polk and AIT at Ft. Sill before shipping off to Vietnam. As a forward observer for the 196th infantry, he carried an M16 and a radio, and called in artillery strikes from the front lines. He was stationed at Ft. Still after Vietnam, finishing his time in the army as an MP. Despite being a hero of our country, he was always humble--Simply remarking that his time in Vietnam was just something he had to do, but was proud to have done it.

After the Army, he earned a bachelor’s degree from SLU and went to work for Dupont, where he worked for 32+ years before retiring as a senior board operator. There he made many lasting friendships and provided well for his family. Because more than anything, Clayton was a provider. After all his life’s achievements, his children and their values were indicative of his greatest success. His family and his faith were his all.

Clayton is survived by his wife of 36 years, Bonnie Daigle, his children: Clay Daigle (Laura Lee), Celeste Branom (Leon), Christopher Daigle (Laura Beth), Brooke Schuster (Richard), and Dallas Daigle (Macey); his 10 grandchildren: Halia, Rhody, Mercy, Carson, Taylor, Hollis, John, Ned, Colin, and JJ; many nieces and nephews, and his siblings Sandra and Charles Wooten, and Ernie and Betty Daigle.

Waiting to greet him in heaven were his parents, his brother Edgar Daigle, his brother-in-law & sister-in-law Lloyd Wayne & Paulette Joiner, niece Wendy Ann Joiner, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Barbara Alexander and Lloyd Joiner, many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his dear friend Dennis Methvin.

Visitation will be held at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 100 W. Magnolia Street, Ponchatoula, LA, Friday, November 28th, 2025, from 6:00pm until 9:00pm, and Saturday, November 29th, 2025, from 10:00am until funeral services at 12:00pm. conducted by Brother William Joiner, and Brother Michael Glynn Adams. Pallbearers: Clay, Chris, Dallas, Richard, Leon, and Ernie, with honorary Pallbearers Rhody and Carson. Food and fellowship will follow at Lee’s Landing Church on Lee’s Landing Road.