Rene Gary

New Iberia – Funeral services will be held at 6:30 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2024, at Pellerin Funeral Home, for Rene Joseph Gary, 69, who passed away on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

Entombment will be at a later date.

Rev. Keith Landry will officiate.

Visitation will be Sunday, from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm at Pellerin Funeral Home. A rosary, led by the Men’s Rosary Group, will be prayed at 3:00 pm.

A native and lifelong resident of New Iberia, Rene was born on June 23, 1954 to the late Joseph Sidney Gary and Gladys Marie Romero Gary. He was a 1972 graduate of Catholic High, where he played basketball, and a 1976 graduate of USL, now the University of Louisiana Lafayette. Rene was the former owner of Gary’s Sporting Goods, and had worked for J.P. Thibodeaux, Robin Motors, and LA Collison Center. 

An avid softball player and bowler, Rene was inducted into the New Iberia Recreation Department Hall of Fameon February 18, 2017. Bill Simon, his longtime friend and teammate, introduced him for this honor. He sponsored many sports team in the community and was a big supporter of Catholic High. Rene was a die hard fan of the New Orleans Saints, even wearing a paper bag over his head, during the bad years.

Rene enjoyed annual golf trips with his high school teammates. For about 20 years, many teammates and classmates participated in a trip to Orange Beach, Alabama, where they played golf, cook, eat, and attended the Mullet Toss, at the Flora-Bama. Of course, there were many stories and lies that were told. He was always up for a challenge, playing in many softball leagues, and bowling and pool tournaments. Rene was also involved in the tri-cycle races, and donkey basketball.

He was a lifelong parishoner of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, where he would go early every Sunday morning to pray for peace before Mass.

Rene loved his family and they loved him back. All the way from his siblings to the youngest great great nieces and nephews. Affectionately known has “Uncle Nay Nay” by his nieces and nephews, he would often include all of them on football pools, giving them their winnings. Their photographs are loving displayed throughout his home.

Always remembering special dates, Rene had a calendar with everyone who he loved on it. He was one of, if not, the first every year to wish you a Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary. Whether it was a phone call, text message, or Facebook message, he always remembered.

Survivors include his siblings, James Gary (Julia), Faye Gary Fontenot, Terry Gary Dorsey, and Tim J. Gary (Tammy); godchildren, Brittany Valls, and Allen Gary; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his half brothers, J.S. Elwood Gary and Roland Gary.

Rene will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.

Pellerin Funeral Home, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA (337.365.3331).