John Leslie "Knuck" LeBlanc, 81, of Bluffton, SC, passed away suddenly on Friday, November 4, 2022, in Gulf Breeze, FL, surrounded by his dearest friends.

Born in Houma, LA, John made his worldly debut on August 27, 1941, in the middle of hurricane season. He grew up to be the valedictorian and a three-sport letterman at St. Francis de Sales, but - ever obstinate - informed his father that he had no intention of going to college. However, after one memorable summer spent tarring roofs in the Louisiana sun, John was off to the big city of New Orleans to enroll at Loyola University (Class of '63). While there, he joined the Men of Beggars and formed the very friendships that would carry him through his final hours.

A Coast Guard Reservist, John had a vibrant career in marketing that took him from New York to Los Angeles before he met his future wife, Cameron, while vacationing in Jamaica. The pair later married, then raised two daughters, first in Spartanburg, SC, then Lilburn, GA, before retiring to Bluffton in 2017. An avid traveler, John enjoyed the trip of a lifetime, walking both the Camino de Santiago and the Via Francigena with his best friend, Patrick and crossed over a dozen new countries off his bucket list while traveling with Cameron.

John was known for his razor-sharp wit, his ready laugh, his generosity of spirit, and his Cajun cooking. He delighted in being both Dad and Papa and took pride in every accomplishment, no matter how small. From Jordan's first home run to Claudette's first starring role, John was a constant presence in his girls' lives, and he delighted in cheering just as loudly for his grandkids' big events.

John is survived by his wife, Cameron; his daughters, Claudette LeBlanc and Jordan (Michael) Deffenbaugh; and his grandchildren, Bennett Gagnon and Landon, Kenzie, and Hailey Deffenbaugh.

A Memorial Mass will be held 10:30am Friday, November 11, 2022, at St. Gregory the Great in Bluffton, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Villa La Paz Foundation.