Raymond Blanchard

Raymond "Ray" Joseph Blanchard, age 66, of Catahoula Lake, LA passed away at 10:05 a.m., Sunday, September 3, 2006 in his home. We can't express enough what a great loss he will be to his family, friends and community. Raymond Blanchard was born and reared in Catahoula Lake, LA. He was a graduate of St. Martinville High School and worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 35 years in Lake Charles, LA as Lockmaster of the Calcasieu Locks where he retired and then moved back to his hometown to spend his retirement. As a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employee, he was recognized with an innumerable amount of awards by the United States government - one was the distinguished Vice President Al Gore, Hammer Award. He was the founder of the Senior Citizens Program in his community, which has been in existence for 13 years. He was a St. Peter's Table Team Leader with the Cursillo Prairie Rhonde. He was a passionate and avid participant in preserving the Cajun culture of this area, organizing travel groups to and from Canada. His passion was always "passing a good time" - the true Cajun that he was - traveling, sports and big get-togethers with family and friends. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 43 years, Mary Jane Wood Blanchard; his son, Brad Blanchard and wife, Lisa of White Castle, LA; two daughters, Renee Blanchard of Catahoula Lake, LA and Kristi Bethea and husband, Scott of Lake Charles, LA; eight grandchildren, Brittany, Cannon, and Maggie Blanchard; Kellen Rooney, Mollie and Frankie Borel; and Braden and Kirklyn Bethea; one brother, Charles Blanchard of Lake Charles, LA; and two sisters, Barbara Delahoussaye of Lafayette, LA and Dale Ann Trahan of Duson, LA. What a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend he was. He was our hero, our best friend and a great role model with an enthusiastic spirit for life! His funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at St. Rita Catholic Church in Catahoula. Visitation will be held at the Dion Hall in Catahoula beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5th and will continue until time of service on Wednesday. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be held on Tuesday, September 5th, at 7:00 p.m. and a French rosary will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Reverend Donald Pelous will officiate. Interment will be in the Our Lady of the Lake Cemetery in Catahoula. Pellerin Funeral Home, 337-332-2111 is in charge of arrangements.