Les Whitt
| Robert Leslie “Les” Whitt | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
August 22, 1951 Natchez, Adams County Mississippi, United States |
| Died | August 16, 2008 (aged 56) Ochsner Foundation Hospital New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Resting place | Greenlawn Cemetery in Natchez, Mississippi |
| Residence | Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Louisiana |
| Occupation | Zookeeper |
| Spouse(s) | Lee Ann Whitt |
| Children |
Sarah W. Salley |
| Parent(s) | Mr. and Mrs. James V. Whitt, Sr. |
| Notes | |
|
(1) Whitt was the director of Alexandria Zoological Park from 1974 until his death in 2008, during which time the zoo grew exponentially. (2) Whitt’s work as a zookeeper was praised by the nationally-known zoologist and conservationist Jack Hanna. (3) Whitt was also a musician who played with American blues guitarist and singer B.B. King. (4) In 1994, Whitt underwent a heart transplant at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in New Orleans, where he died fourteen years later of renewed heart problems. |
|
Sarah W. Salley
(1) Whitt was the director of Alexandria Zoological Park from 1974 until his death in 2008, during which time the zoo grew exponentially.
(2) Whitt’s work as a zookeeper was praised by the nationally-known zoologist and conservationist Jack Hanna.
(3) Whitt was also a musician who played with American blues guitarist and singer B.B. King.
Robert Leslie Whitt (August 22, 1951 – August 16, 2008), known as Les Whitt, was the award-winning director of Alexandria Zoological Park in Alexandria, the seat of Rapides Parish and the largest city in Central Louisiana, having served from 1974 until his death from heart complications only six days prior to what would have been his 57th birthday. Whitt was also a musician who mastered a Hammond B-3 organ and played with B.B. King and B.B. Major, whom he had accompanied at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Whitt was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. James V. Whitt, Sr., in Natchez, Mississippi. In 1994, he received a heart transplant at Ochsner Foundation Hospital founded in New Orleans by the physician Alton Oschner. His donor was Lane Bourgeois of Prairieville in Ascension Parish. Whitt was an advocate of organ donation and frequently spoke on behalf of the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency.
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