Lloyd "Red" Lerille, the New Orleans native who went on to become Mr. America and the owner of one of the South's top gymnasiums, has died.
According to a post on the Red Lerille's Health Club Facebook page, Lerille died on Friday. He was 88-years-old.
Lerille's journey in the world of fitness began after he was inspired by his uncle. According to his health club's promotional material's, Lerille wanted to have the same muscular biceps as his Uncle Harold. That led Lerille to join the New Orleans Athletic Club as a pre-teen. He later joined the wrestling team at Holy Cross, winning three state championships in that sport.
Lerille followed in his uncle's footsteps, enlisting in the Navy in 1955 after graduating from Holy Cross. While in the service, Lerille continued to wrestle, placing second in the All-Navy Championships. He also continued to weightlift, which ultimately helped him achieve his boyhood dream of winning Mr. America.
Lerille won his first bodybuilding championship, Mr. New Orleans, in 1955. He later won Mr. Armed Forces, Mr. Hawaii, and Mr. Hawaiian Islands, along with several other regional titles, before winning Mr. America in 1960. That same year, Lerille won the Mr. Universe competition.
Lerille moved to Lafayette in 1958. He opened Lerille opened his health club there in 1963. Until recently, Lerille was a fixture at the club, greeting members and doing work around the gym. Lerille credited his success to constantly improving the facility, taking a page out of the playbook of a longtime friend, New Orleans native Joe Gold (of Gold's Gym fame): he made changes monthly to keep the facility fresh.
Lerille's death comes just days after he was inducted into the Health and Fitness Association's Hall of Fame as a member of its inaugural class.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry paid tribute to Lerille shortly after the news of his death broke.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
