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Natchez native, Alexandria zoo director dies
Published Monday, August 18, 2008
NATCHEZ — A Natchez native known for his musical ability and for his work at the Alexandria Zoo since the 1970s died Saturday.
Leslie Whitt, 56,who was the director of the Alexandria Zoo from 1974 until the time of his death, died of heart complications at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.
Aside from his duties at the zoo, from which he had a close association with noted animal expert Jack Hanna, Whitt was an accomplished keyboard player who played with the likes of B.B. King and B.B. Major at the Jazz and Heritage Festival. Locally, he was a member of the 1970s-era band My Generation.
For Natchezian Sandra Doherty, whose late brother played in the band with Whitt, he was like a second brother.
“Leslie was just an amazing, giving person, and he would do anything for anybody,” she said.
The recipient of a donated heart in 1994, Whitt took that opportunity to live life with all of the gusto he could, Doherty said.
“I really believe he gave his all in his last 14 years,” she said. “He was very grateful to have a second chance.”
That zeal carried over to his work at the zoo.
“He gave his 200 percent at whatever he did,” Doherty said. “He absolutely built that zoo to what it is today.”
Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said in a statement the city lost a real asset with Whitt’s death, and described him as “the paragon of selfless action for his fellow man.”
“In addition to losing the indispensable leader of the city’s most recognized quality-of-life institution, artists and musicians lost a true friend and fellow professional,” Roy said.
Whitt’s wake will be from 4 to 9 p.m. today and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Riverfront Convention Center, in Alexandria. A memorial service will follow at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the convention center.
Whitt will be buried after a graveside service at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Greenlawn Cemetery.
Comments
Posted by blackwood (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 1:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I knew Leslie back in the 70's when he was part of a push to build a zoo here in Natchez. We lost him to Alexandria which was a tremendous blessing to them. I've not been to a large number of zoos but Alexandria has one of the finest with the credit going to Leslie. I'm sorry to read of his passing away.
Marc Blackwood
Posted by GopherBaroque (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I first met Leslie when he was about 12 years old. As youngsters both of us explored the bayous on either side of the railroad tracks behind our houses. Once upon emerging from the bayou into Leslie's back yard I spotted him there. He invited me over to see his aligators that he had in a 55 gallon barrel of water. He always had animals of different sorts around there. At that time I didn't know he also had an interest in music. Later on I played in the band My Generation with Leslie when we did a club tour around the southeast the summer of 1968. The last time I saw him was when we played music together with the Reunion Band at the Memorial Day Jam, 2007. All of his jam buddies will miss him. RIP Leslie.
Posted by Doc_Fungo (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Back in the 70's I was heading home about 1am one morning when a chmpanzee ran across the highway in front of me right before Homochitto. Nobody believed me...everybody just shook their heads and laughed at me when I told them. I knew it had to be Leslie's!
Posted by mommy3 (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My mother has always told me about Mr. Whitt driving a hearse in high school, and having snakes and other exotic animals. My father, Roger Spring, who passed away in 1983, also played in the My Generation band with him. My mother said he was the best organist she had ever heard. I wish to send condolences to the family on behalf of my mother, Sandra Spring Walker. I am sure there is another "Generation" band playing a set in heaven today!
Posted by eagleX2 (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If 10% of our population were as noble and great as Leslie Whitt, the rest of us would be inspired to reach greater heights. His consideration for all living beings, work ethic, creativity, love of life and family, and respect for others was unsurpassed. Live and learn from his example. Go forth and make the world a better place by any means you are capable. Rest in peace, Les, you did all in your power to leave the world a better place than you found it!
Posted by Bobaloo (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
R.I.P. Tiger Man.... the world is a better place for having you in it. Your legacy will live forever and you will be missed greatly.
Thanks for the time you had on this earth.
Thanks for being my friend.
I love you and will miss you badly my brother.
Posted by GopherBaroque (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 10:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh I remeber Leslie's hurst. Here is a hurst story for you. Driving to a gig somewhere in northeast Louisiana with Leslie driving and me sitting in the passenger side we see a bunch of chickens 1/2 a mile ahead. As we get closer to the chickens Leslie is blowing the horn for them to get out of the way. He slows down still blowing the horn. All the chickens scatter with the exception of 1 which runs straight down the road in front of the car. The chicken flew under the car and out the back then ran off to the side but minus a few feathers.
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I didn't know Leslie personally, but had friends who did. Never heard a bad word said about this man. I heard he had a huge hand in the success of the Alexandria Zoo. God bless him...what a wonderful job. Obviously he will be missed.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
At least he lived long enough to fulfill his dream.
I remember his makeshift zoo off off Homochitto (seems like it was on Natchez St) Don't remember the hearse.
Doc_Fungo you are right his mischievous chimp was always escaping.
Mr. Whitt you will always be remember buy beast & humans as a great man. I guess like Bob Hope always said "Thanks for the memories".
Posted by popeye3 (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Alexandria Zoo is better than the San Diego Zoo.
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 5:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My family has been to both zoos & the San Diego Zoo was by far the best because it offers so much for children, which we had four.
Now that it's just me & my husband the Alexandria Zoo is tops. Being an animal lover all this talk makes me want to go.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes, Leslie developed the Alexandria Zoo into a great one. And looking back it's surprising what a young age he was when he took it over. As I remember he told me he got the job because, among the applicants, he turned in the lowest budget. Alexandria made an extremely wise decision in choosing him.
I remember his makeshift zoo at his house in Natchez where he had a couple of gators in the bathroom tub and his front porch caged off for 2 young cougars.
Posted by Kaintuck (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Les Whitt was very highly regarded nationally by the membership of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums for his love of life and willingness to give of himself. I am told that he took a bus and periodically collected poor children in Alexandria for bus tours to the zoos in Monroe, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. As already noted here, Les was also regarded as quite a musician. He could really "see", and was able to distill the essence of what is truly important in life. How rare; and what an example! No doubt he learned these values growing up in Natchez. I am sure that Jesus is proud of him...
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 9:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can remember Les as if it was yesterday...didn't really know him personally, but I do remember his bands and his managery...he was six years older and played in a band...we would either try to get in to the tavern (underage, and I do not condone this behavior) or we'd sit in the parking lot and groove.
He came to talk to my boss one day in the late 70's about donating some money for a zoo here in Natchez...my boss gave him a small amount...after he left, my boss commented "he's a kook"...all the while I knew who he was and I thought he was just eccentric and way, way cool...turns out, he was wonderfully both and my boss was just real square.
It is such a tribute to him that he had early vision...pursued his goals, at great personal cost...and triumphed in so many venues. God bless him!
Posted by mamaw (anonymous) on August 19, 2008 at 9:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My husband knew Les before we married.I met him on our first of many trips to the Alex.zoo. When my father-in-law was in the hospital in Alexandria with his heart, We stayed at the hospital. One day we took the kids to the zoo for a little break. Before we left that day Les stopped us and gave us free passes to the zoo, and said while you are up here you come on over anytime you need to get out. I know he will be missed very much,I would bet he made foot prints on many hearts and will be missed very much. I feel the same as "Kaintuck" (I am sure Jesus is proud of Les) God bless his family in this time of great loss..
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I remember My Generation playing at the Vidalia Canteen, but I can't remember each individual band member. I wish the Democrat would put up a young photo of Leslie, so I can remember him too. Which member of the band lived on the corner of MLK and Orleans across from the Malt Shop? They had a practice pad there, and I went once when I was a teen with my boyfriend to hear them practice.
Posted by mikell (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
None of us lived there, it was just the practice pad. The original My Generation rented it and kept it for years through all the different incarnations of the group. Go to thetowntalk.com for pictures of Leslie and the zoo.
Also KALB.com has some nice stuff, including a video of the news broadcast.
Posted by fidleng (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MAN! What a loss! I, too, remember Leslie. I am older, but my brother Sammy Englerth hung with those guys. Boy! Roger Spring is gone, I just found out...who else? Lynn Hornsby, I love you! Who else is gone? Remembering Joe Shelton...Bill Evans...lots of good musicians from that area!
I guess that big Hammond B-3 is kickin' up there right now!
My condolences to his family and close friends.
Jo Englerth
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 1:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Do you remember that song, What If They Gave A War And Nobody Came? Didn't Joe Shelton write that?
Posted by knightal (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As far as I remember, Joe didn't write the war song, but, along with Sammy Englerth, our lead singer, did write two songs, My Mirror, and I Love You Baby. We actually recorded these in a studio in Winsboro, La., and released it just before Leslie came aboard. They were played on our local radio stations for a while, and even as far as Memphis a time or two...none of us lived at the "practice pad" but we spent more than enough time there. Many a good musician came through there. It's hard to believe so many others remember the "pad"...Can't remember how many times Leslie's Dad and mine talked the police out of arresting us because of the noise! And, we must have played at the Canteen a thousand times. What good days.....
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 11:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sammy was good friends with my brothers and I remember him well. And also, your dad's store, Charlies. Jo, were you saying that Joe Shelton passed away, and Bill Evans?
I noticed on the site that Mikell put up that Leslie had continued to play (the electric piano or organ?), but the pics weren't old enough for me to recollect him as a younger man. My condolences to his friends and family. He's been summoned to play in the Heavenly Choir with Elvis and all those who've gone before him. Someday we'll all join them and sing along just like we did when we heard them play in life.
Mikell is Lynn Hornsby? Joe was in another band with Lynn, Bobby and Larry, but I can't recall the name of that group. I had forgotten that Joe and Lynn were members of My Generation, but thinking back, I can remember them playing at the canteen.
What was the lead singer's name in My Generation? I do recall the practice pad, but I only went there once...so I didn't know the details of ownership and just assumed that one of the band members parents owned the house on the corner in front of the practice pad, but maybe it was a business and not a house back then. I know it was remodeled at some point.
knightal which instrument did you play? I guess there was quite a turnover of musicians in and out of groups back then. Was Jerry Williams ever the drummer in that group? I remember him from the canteen too, but I don't remember what group he was with.
Posted by knightal (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Played the drums....1st for the Elations, and after that, My Generation.Sammy and Joe were our lead singers,(Elations). Both bands sort of busted up, but with their drummer gone, our singer gone, just sort of re-formed and kept on going as My Generation. Lynn, Bobby Patten, and Larry Bagby had Juke Kaleidescope for while. There were a lot of bands back then, and we all played with each other before all was said and done.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you for replying back knightal and for the memories of days long gone. I know I had a good time way back then and enjoyed listening to all of yall. I'm sorry for the circumstances that brought the memories flooding back.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on August 26, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What If They Gave A War And Nobody Came was submitted to be considered for the theme song of a movie with the same name. Their song wasn't chosen and not many people would remember it, but Lynn should.
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