Lucien Miles Peroyea, Sr.

Lucien Miles Peroyea, Sr., affectionately known as Sonny, passed away peacefully at 6:56 a.m. on September 1, 2025, at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was 91 years old.

Sonny was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 28, 1933, to Emile Charles Peroyea and Josephine Pujol Peroyea. He grew up with one brother, Don, as well as two half-brothers, Emile and Lambert, and a half-sister, Dorothy Parr.

Sonny lost his dad when he was 7 years old. The loss of his dad greatly impacted and shaped his life. His mom had to go to work to support and raise 2 boys on her own. The gratitude and love he had for his mom was evidenced, throughout his life, by his words and actions.

During his childhood, on any given day, Sonny and his brother could be found along the lakefront, fishing and according to him, “running amok”! These years shaped his fierce independence and growing strength.

Sonny attended Warren Easton High School and, upon graduation, studied for a year at Louisiana State University, where he was a member of the LSU boxing team. Answering the call to serve his country, Sonny left LSU and joined the United States Air Force. He served for 3 ½ half years, spending time stationed in North Africa during the Korean conflict before being honorably discharged in 1956. After completing his military service, he continued his education at Southeastern Louisiana University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Marketing.

During Sonny’s college days, his brother Don was driving to New Orleans from Southeastern for the weekend with his friend Bonnie. Don asked her if she wanted to go on a blind date that night with his brother. Learning that he was cute she said, “yes” and the rest is history. Sonny married the love of his life, Bonnie Louise McInnis, on August 31, 1957, and together they shared six decades of marriage. Their union was blessed with four sons: Lucien Miles Jr., Joseph Gregory, Martin Scott, and Kenneth Andrew.

Sonny went on to enjoy a long and distinguished career with City Service Oil Company (later, Citgo Oil and Refining), where he dedicated thirty-five years of his service. His career in marketing took him and his family to New Orleans, Bossier City, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, Jackson, Stone Mountain, Shreveport, and Charlotte. Along the way, they made lifelong friends. Following his retirement in 1994, Sonny and Bonnie settled in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where they made their home on the waters of Bay St. Louis. Their years on the coast were filled with much family, many friends, fabulous food and fun. But no matter where Sonny was, he was always a New Orleans boy at heart.

Sonny had many interests. These are a few of his favorite things: GOLF- a great golfer who played into his 90’s with his Pass Christian Isles buddies. SPORTS- the Atlanta Braves, the New Orleans Saints, LSU Tigers, and coaching, announcing, and umpiring his boys’ little league teams. Driving his BOAT, Miss Bonnie, while the boys water skied. COOKING- from braciola to stuffed artichokes to spaghetti and meatballs and red beans and rice. HOT PEPPERS- Sonny never met a pepper he didn’t like. His RECLINER- doing crossword puzzles, watching jeopardy, drinking his coffee, and napping. WOODWORKING- for his kids, grandchildren, and charity. GOOD JAZZ- it always brought him to tears. His DOGS- who gave him joy and companionship beyond measure. SWEETS- especially pecan pie. PO’ BOYS- roast beef, dressed and messy.

All interests aside, Sonny’s greatest love was his family. To know him, was to understand that his “tough” exterior was overwhelmingly overshadowed by his soft interior and deep love. It is that legacy of deep-rooted love, and a quiet, decided faith, that we will keep in our hearts as we mourn his loss.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Bonnie; his step siblings and their spouses; and a score of cherished family and friends.

Blessed to have been called Dad, Pop and Big Pop, Sonny is survived by 4 sons, 7 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren: his eldest son Miles, his wife Nancy, grandson Trey, his wife Jayme, and great-grandchildren, Juliette, Charlotte, Everly and Miles, and grandson Trent, his wife Jessica, and great-grandsons Blake, Bear and Banks; Sonny’s second son Greg, his wife Colleen, granddaughter Emme and great-granddaughters Sadie and Marigold; Sonny’s third son Scott, his granddaughter Mary Lindsay, her husband Andrew Rowell and great-granddaughters Olivia and Amelia, and granddaughter Natalie and her husband Braxton Varnell; Sonny’s fourth son Andy, his wife Mindy, granddaughter Kaitlyn and fiancé Conner Saucier, great-grandchildren Jhett and Ellie, and grandson Lane.

Sonny is also survived by his brother, Don, and his cousin, Ann, as well as dearly loved family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street in Gulfport, Mississippi on September 20, 2025. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m., followed by the Celebration of Life in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. There will be a private interment of Sonny and Bonnie in Biloxi National Cemetery, with full military honors bestowed upon Sonny.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011 or to French Camp Academy, 1 Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745, both dear to the family’s heart.