"A good man died tonight. Les Guidry, heart surgeon, father, grandfather, world traveler. He was my wife's stepdad. He saved people's lives, sailed half the world in a 44ft sailboat, and never lost his hunger to learn. He epitomized compassion for humans and animals. The world and our lives are better for having him as long as we did. We will miss him."

Dr. Leslie David Guidry was born in Church Point, Louisiana November 9, 1927 to Etienne and Valentine Marshall Guidry and died at home in Church Point November 23, 2014. After graduating from Church Point High School at age 16, he enrolled at SLI (now UL Lafayette) for a year and then enlisted in the U. S. Army. After being sent to Korea, he was selected for officer's training and was discharged with the rank of Captain. He finished his pre-medical training at SLI and attended the LSU School of Medicine, New Orleans, from which he received his Doctor of Medicine degree. From New Orleans, he went to Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, where he completed training both as a general surgeon as well as a cardio-thoracic surgeon. He was certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgery.

Dr. Guidry began his professional career in New Orleans, practicing first at the Mahorner Clinic and then had his own individual practice. Invited by Dr. F. H. "Happy" Davis, Jr. to come to Lafayette to establish a cardiothoracic practice, Dr. Guidry moved to Lafayette and practiced with Dr. Davis until retiring in 1988.

After retirement, Dr. Guidry became interested in blue water sailing and pursued it with characteristic single-minded passion. He and his wife completed four transatlantic crossings plus numerous trips to the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Florida Keys and to Mexico. His wife once observed that, after comparing his accounts of their trips with her own remembrances, they could not have been on the same boat. After their boat was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, they retired to his farm in Church Point.

Dr. Guidry is survived by his wife of 36 years, Nancy Houser Guidry. He is also survived by four children: Steven Guidry, Leslie Ann Guidry White, Tina Guidry Kerdavid, and Jane Guidry White. He is survived by two step-children: Jean Hutchins Reichert and Stephen Hutchins, fourteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Michael. Not to be forgotten are his three dogs which he loved and considered an integral part of his family. Dr. Guidry was well respected by colleagues and patients and loved by family and friends.

Personal condolences may be sent to the Guidry family at www.guidryfuneralhome.com.

Guidry Funeral Home, 219 N. Broadway St., Church Point, LA is in charge of final arrangements.