George "Joey" Hewitt

George Joseph Pugh "Joey" Hewitt, 59, departed this life on February 1, 2025, in Houston, TX. He was surrounded by family and close friends at the time of his passing.

Joey was born February 22, 1965, at American Legion Hospital in Jennings, LA to Millie, an elementary school teacher and Clark, an inspector of oil and gas wells throughout the state of Louisiana. Joey was their second child, and he joined older sister Kathy in a house the family occupied on LeDoux Street in Jennings. After the untimely passing of Joey's father, his grandfather, Rufus (Paw Paw), stepped in as a father figure. Paw Paw taught Joey many essential skills like tinkering with household machines and simple carpentry. Joey also spent a lot of time with Paw Paw and his cousins at the camp in Mermentau, LA where he developed a love of fishing.

When he was a senior at Jennings High School, Joey met Amelia Miller in a business class. Amelia remembers Joey as a bit of a teacher's pet and a tease, but it did not take long for Joey's attention to turn to Amelia. After a few weeks, Joey arrived at Amelia's house one afternoon and asked her out for ice cream. She put him off on that day, but soon after, they went on their first date, thus starting a lifelong romance. A year and a half later, the two married on September 6, 1985. Paw Paw served as best man at the wedding. He passed down his own wedding ring, which Joey wore until his death. This ring has become an important heirloom to the family and a symbol of unending love.

Joey worked for a local trucking company in Jennings until a work accident prompted Amelia to advise him to consider a career shift. He then earned an associate's degree in computer-aided drafting and design (CADD), which led to a new job and a move to the Houston area in 1991. Throughout the years, Joey held positions managing servers and networks, directing an information technology help desk, overseeing cyber security, and eventually serving as senior director for security and strategy with PLAINS All American Pipeline in Houston. While working full time, Joey also earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from LeTourneau University.

In 1994, Joey and Amelia welcomed their daughter, Haley. Their son, Hunter, arrived in 1998. Joey's devotion to Amelia, who is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, was only matched by his dedication to his kids. He gave them constant support for their studies and activities and cheered on their achievements. Both are now young adults and PhD candidates.

A true jack-of-all-trades, Joey loved spending time outdoors, fixing things around the house, tending to the yard, and fishing and tinkering with all types of equipment and machines. His cooking skills were legendary among family and friends, and many eagerly anticipated the arrival of Joey's signature, holiday pralines. He had a quick-witted sense of humor, loved playing practical jokes, and seemed to win every game he played. His lifelong passion for learning made him a virtual search engine who constantly amazed his wife and kids, surprising them with knowledge of things such as bird species and his ability to identify an obscure animal while speeding past a field in a car.

In Joey's world, everyone was a friend, and anyone who needed a hand received his immediate help. His yellow Labrador retriever, Moose, was his close friend and near-constant sidekick. In fact, the pair were fixtures in their neighborhood in Houston, where they offered friendly, front-porch greetings to everyone who passed by in the afternoon.

Joey is survived by his wife, Amelia; daughter, Haley (Houston); son, Hunter (Los Angeles, CA); and sister, Kathleen "Kathy" Hewitt Hidalgo and brother-in-law, Havard Hidalgo (Lafayette, LA). He was preceded in death by his parents, Betty "Millie" Ann Pugh Hewitt Stafford and Clark Wilson Hewitt (Jennings, LA) and grandparents, Rufus Barnett Pugh (Paw Paw) and Mamie Pugh (Honey) (Jennings, LA).

Though Joey spent most of his adult life in the Houston area, the small city of Jennings remained his center of gravity, where he felt most at home. Joey will be memorialized in Jennings.

Visitation will be held at Miguez Funeral Home in Jennings, LA, on Friday, February, 7th, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. It will resume on Saturday February 8th, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Funeral services will be held in the funeral home chapel at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, with Father Keith Pellerin Officiating. Following the service, cremation has been entrusted to Miguez Funeral Home. Inurnment services will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity.