Lawrence Richard Jr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 pm on Friday, June 9, 2017 at St. Genevieve Church for Lawrence Richard, Jr., who passed away peacefully at his home in Lafayette on June 3, 2017. He was 73 years old. Father John Gary Schexnayder, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Church, will celebrate the mass and conduct the funeral services. Lectors will be John and Elizabeth Woodard; gift bearers will be Brennan Vincent, Anna Grace Landry and Avery Catherine Landry. Entombment will follow the service in Calvary Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Gloria Schexnayder Richard; his two daughters, Rachelle (James) Woodard, and Rhonda (Lance) Landry; and five grandchildren, to whom he was known as "Poppa": Brennan Roddy Vincent, John Spencer Woodard, Elizabeth Anne Banks Woodard, Anna Grace Landry, and Avery Catherine Landry. Lawrence is also survived by nine siblings: Lucy Richard LeJeune Romero, Daniel (Florence Dupuis) Richard, Earl (Dr. Mary Ann Richter) Richard, Mary Richard Klinglesmith, Pearl (Bobby) Wyble, Elaine (Ronnie) Hayworth, Ray Richard, Laura (Gene) Laird, and Jerry (Lauren Braud) Richard; four brothers in law; Father John Gary Schexnayder, Earl (Judy Moss) Schexnayder, Ty (Rachael Inzerella) Schexnailder, and Dale Schexnayder; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The family is comforted with the knowledge that Lawrence will be united with God and reunited with his son, Roddy Lawrence Richard, who preceded him in death 30 years ago. Also preceding him in death were his parents Wilma Miller Richard and Lawrence Richard, Sr., and his in-laws, Florence Guidry Schexnailder and Yves Schexnailder.

His love of sports began at Arnaudville High School and continued at Southwest Louisiana Institute (ULL) where he played basketball. He was a grand knight in the Knights of Columbus and owned and operated Richard Exterminating Co. for 40 years before retiring to enjoy more time golfing and playing bouree with good friends. His warm, thoughtful personality will especially be missed.

Pallbearers will be Brennan Vincent, John Woodard, Dr. James Woodard, Lance Landry, Michael LeJeune, Jerry Richard and Jeff McKeithen, Lawrence's godson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 8, 2017 from 5:00 - 9:00 pm, and resume Friday morning from 9:00 am to 1:15 pm. A rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus at 7:00 pm Thursday evening.