The Life of Ray Allen Guidry Sr.
Funeral services will be held at a 3:00 PM Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, May 20, 2013 at St. Pius X Catholic Church for Ray Allen Guidry Sr., 71, who passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 16, 2013 at his home surrounded by his loving and devoted family after a courageous and hard fought battle against cancer.
Reverend Steven C. LeBlanc, Pastor of St. Pius X Catholic Church will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the Funeral Service. Reverend J. Aaron Melancon, Pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milton, LA will be Con-Celebrant of the Mass. Lectors will be his granddaughters, Erin Guidry and Reagan Guidry. Giftbearers will be his granddaughters, Helaina Guidry, Rachel Rudasill, Corinne Guidry and Anna McNeely. Eulogy will be by his daughter, Suzanne Guidry Rudasill.
Interment will take place at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Debbie Bonvillian Book Guidry; four children, Ray Allen Guidry, Jr. of Lafayette, Gregg Anthony Guidry and Donna Delahoussaye Guidry of Broussard, Keith Joseph Guidry and his wife Jennifer Clark Guidry of Lafayette, and Suzanne Guidry Rudasill and her husband Shawn Rudasill of Lafayette; two step-children Mike Book of Lafayette and Amy Book McNeely and her husband Brad of Hickory, North Carolina; eleven grandchildren, Constance Erin Guidry, Kristopher Allen Guidry, Nicholas James Book, Reagan Page Guidry, Reed Stanley Rudasill, Helaina Lois Guidry, Justin Abel Guidry, Rachel Constance Rudasill, Conley Coleman McNeely, Anna Elizabeth McNeely, and Corinne Constance Guidry. He is also survived by his brother in law, Charles Connolly Jr and his wife Adele of Lafayette; sister in laws, Linda Connolly Tribe and her husband Gerald of Broussard, and Bonnie Bonvillian Burns and her husband Richard of Westminister, Colorado, and by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, including special friend Nelda Bernard.
He was preceded in death by his beloved first wife, Connie Connolly Guidry; his parents Percy and Madia Champagne Guidry; his inlaws, Charles and Mildred Connolly Sr., his infant granddaughter, Mary Beth Guidry and infant grandson, Nicholas Paul Guidry; and longtime friend Howard Bernard.
Ray was born on May 31, 1941 in Lafayette, only child of Percy and Madia Guidry. He married his high school sweetheart, Connie, on September 23, 1961. Soon after, he served his country in the Army National Guard, stationed in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Together they raised four children until Connie’s untimely passing in 1984. He married his second wife Debbie on March 27, 1995 and enjoyed 18 years together.
Ray was President of the Percy Guidry Companies; Percy Guidry Hearth & Patio and Percy Guidry Manufacturing since 1965. He designed and manufactured the first Cajun Grill for his father, Percy, in 1958 as a Father’s Day present. Today, the Cajun Grill is sold around the world. This was his greatest accomplishment, growing a small business with his father, Percy, and later with his four children and making it into what it is today, larger than he ever expected. He was a past member of NOMMA, association of Ornamental Metals.
Ray contributed greatly to his community through such events as Festival International de Louisiane and was recognized with the J. David Lofton Volunteer Award in 2001 for his years of cooking for the Festival entertainers as Bubba #1.
Ray loved the outdoors and spending time with his family. His greatest enjoyment was spending time at his camp in Creole in Cameron Parish either fishing or duck hunting and making memories with his children, grandchildren, and numerous friends. He also enjoyed traveling and seeing the country. Later in life, his new passion became his garden and it was one to be envied. He loved to grow the most beautiful fruits and vegetables and enjoyed giving them away. He was the happiest when he was giving.
Ray lived life to the fullest and exemplified the true meaning of Le Joie de Vivre. He was a true teacher in all he knew and touched so many people in his life with his knowledge and kindness. And to all his duck hunters, like Mr. Ray would say “It don’t take long to spend a night at the camp” and “It’s gonna be good in da mornin’.”
For his grandchildren he was simply "Poppa" and his strength, courage, and love will live in them forever.
Pallbearers will be his sons, Ray Allen Guidry, Jr., Gregg Anthony Guidry, Keith Joseph Guidry, son-in-law, Shawn Barry Rudasill, and grandsons, Kristopher Allen Guidry, Reed Stanley Rudasill and Justin Abel Guidry.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his step-son Mike Book, grandsons Nicholas Book and Conley McNeely, The Bubbas, and his beloved cousins.
The family would like to thank Brenda Francois and his grandson, Kris Guidry, as well as all of his physicians and Hospice of Acadiana for the special care given to our loved one during this difficult time.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Ray’s name to Hospice of Acadiana, The Children’s Shelter of Acadiana, CODOFIL, and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
A rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm on Sunday, May 19, 2013 in Martin & Castille’s SOUTHSIDE location.
The family requests that visitation be observed on Sunday from 11:00am to 8:00pm and Monday, 10:00am until time of service.
Martin & Castille-SOUTHSIDE-600 E. Farrel Rd., Lafayette, LA 70508, 337-984-2811
