James Dagate

James “Jimmy” Robert Dagate, 60, a native and resident of Terrebonne Parish, died at 1:05 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, peacefully at his home.

Mr. Dagate practiced law for more than 36 years. He was an assistant district attorney for Terrebonne since 1997, where he served as general counsel for the Terrebonne Levee and Conservation District, Terrebonne Economic Development Authority and the Houma Terrebonne Housing Authority. He was a former coordinator and teacher for Project LEAD (Legal Enrichment and Decision Making) School Program.

Mr. Dagate served as president of the Terrebonne Parish Bar Association (1994), Louisiana State Bar Association Disciplinary Hearing Committee member (1993-2001) and chairman (1998-2001), Louisiana State Bar Association Disciplinary Board (2004-07), former Special Assistant Attorney General, Ad Hoc Judge of the City Court of Houma, former teacher of criminal and constitutional law at Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Training Academy and a certified mediator of legal disputes.

He coached youth basketball and baseball, was a member of the Board of Directors of Terrebonne General Medical Center and Terrebonne Council on Aging, and a member of the Houma Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce and Houma-Terrebonne Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow, 1990 president and Rotarian of the Year).

A1972 graduate of Vandebilt Catholic High School, he graduated summa cum laude from Nicholls State University and earned his law degree in 1973 from LSU Law School. He hosted HTVlO’s “Law & Government,” “The Truth” and “Bayou Time.” He was also a parishioner and former lector of Maria Immacolata Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Jennifer “Jenny” Anne Weimer Dagate; mother, Janice Marie Hazlip Dagate; sons, Jason (Erin) and Jacob (Brittany) Dagate; three grandchildren; brothers, Lawrence and Dr. John Dagate; sisters, Annette (Dr. Christopher) Saal and Robin (Ben) Stonecipher and husband, Ben Stonecipher.

James Dagate