Lafayette Mourns Passing of Fitness Icon Red Lerille

LAFAYETTE, La. — The Lafayette community is in mourning following the death of Red Lerille, the beloved owner of Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club, who passed away at the age of 88. A champion bodybuilder and influential businessman, Red’s contributions to fitness and community engagement left a lasting impact on the city.

Born Lloyd “Red” Lerille on June 9, 1936, in New Orleans, he began competing in bodybuilding during his teenage years. Lerille’s passion for the sport culminated in his winning the prestigious Mr. America title in 1960. After serving four years in the U.S. Navy, he moved to Lafayette where he founded his first gym in 1963—a modest 4,000-square-foot facility that expanded over the decades into one of the most respected fitness centers in the nation.

Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club, affectionately dubbed “Red’s” by locals, transformed into more than a place to work out. It became a community cornerstone, where friendships flourished alongside physical fitness. The club evolved to include tennis courts, swimming pools, and various training facilities, drawing both celebrities and residents to train together.

What distinguished Red from others was his unwavering commitment to the community. Always the first to arrive in the morning, he would pick up litter and warmly greet members as they arrived. “He led by example and inspired all of us to be better,” said Jenna Roussel, a long-time member and employee of Red’s. “He made it feel like a family.” Many could recall their first jobs at Red’s, illustrating the profound influence he had on their lives and careers.

Beyond fitness, Lerille was a lifelong learner and collector with interests ranging from antique airplanes to high-wheel bicycles. He also maintained a strong connection to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where he earned his degree in 1987 and was later honored as an Outstanding Alumnus in 2002. His dedication to education and civic service earned him several accolades, including the Club Industry Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.

As Lafayette remembers Red Lerille, it reflects on the loss of not only a gym owner but a mentor and father figure to many. His legacy is one of inspiration and community development, embodied by the lives he touched throughout his lifetime.

In the wake of his passing, the Lerille family, Red’s employees, and all who knew him are in our thoughts. As arrangements for services are confirmed, the community will honor his memory and the profound influence he had on Lafayette.