George Ramier

GRAND COTEAU- A Mass of Christian Burial and celebration of George Robert Ramier's wildly adventurous life is planned for, Saturday, August 11, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. in the St. Charles Church in Grand Coteau, LA. Rite of Committal will follow in the church cemetery. A 3:00 p.m. reception will follow at the Knights of Peter Claver Hall, 252 Church Street.

George Robert Ramier, age 89, died peacefully on July 24, 2018, at home in Prairie Basse, Louisiana with members of his family around him. He was four days shy of his 90th birthday. Born on July 28, 1928, in Minneapolis, MN to parents Mary Loosen and John Ramier. His early years were spent in the throes of the Great Depression, where he had a meager start, but worked hard and made a great life for himself and his family. He was a trouble-making rascal in childhood but was miraculously ushered safely into adulthood with help from luck and love. After graduating from Southwest HS, he attended St. John University in Collegeville, MN. He then studied at Maryknoll Seminary, with an aspiration of becoming a priest. He rethought his life path, left the seminary & returned to MN where he finished his degree in Philosophy at the U of St Thomas. On a whim, he joined the U.S. Navy and by luck ended up serving as a naval officer for four years. As a Navy pilot he "made 126 carrier landings, 2 at night." On a blind date in Pensacola he met his Bayou Boogie of 63 years, Eleanor Aline Olivier. After they married he attended Georgetown Law School, then Loyola in New Orleans to study the Napoleonic Code and practiced law at both ends of the Mississippi for 40+ years. He proudly clerked for Judge Putnam during the civil rights era. He quickly saw the humanity in everyone; he was a progressive man, was for marriage-equality and treated everyone with respect. He served on the LBA Ethics Board and Opelousas Airport Commission; was in VFW and American Legion. He had his 5th plane crash at age 80; loved his writing group and his French table friends. He held his relationships with everyone he met in very high regard. He especially valued family, immediate and extended.

George is survived by his Cajun Queen and their children: Dan, Tim, Joe, Peg, Suz, Michelle, Tom; their spouses; eleven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many treasured nieces & nephews.

George was preceded in death by his son, Bobby; his siblings, Jack, Jeanette and Margie; and their spouses.

He always attempted to make a connection with people by trying to find a common friend acquaintance or experience upon first meeting. We often joked that Dad collected characters. If you're a friend of Dad's, this is an enormous compliment. Once George had a friend, he kept that friend dear. He also loved education, poetry and history. He was very proud of his French & Irish roots and was a voracious reader and could often be found tucked away with a book. He loved a healthy debate and was always up on the most current events of the day. He was a lifelong Catholic especially identifying with the Jesuits. He had a dry yet sneaky sense of humor and was an oddball in the most lovable sense of the word. He was sensitive and cried easily. Nothing made him prouder than to see his kids take exciting risks in life. We all agree that we hit the parent jackpot! George became lovingly connected with everyone he knew & will be missed more than words can convey. Who will tell the stories now?

Visitation will be on Friday, August 10, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 5:30 p.m. in the Sibille Funeral Home in Grand Coteau. The funeral home will not reopen on Saturday for further visitation.

In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Dad's long-time friend, Father John Lange, Maryknoll Fathers, Ossining, NY.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Grand Coteau.

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
1473 I-49 South Service Road
Grand Coteau, LA  70541
Friday, August 10, 2018
4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Service

ROSARY SERVICE

Sibille Funeral Home
1473 I-49 North Service Road
Grand Coteau, LA  70541
Friday, August 10, 2018
5:30 p.m.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL

St. Charles Catholic Church
174 Church St.
Grand Coteau, LA  70541
Saturday, August 11, 2018
1:30 p.m.

Cemetery

St. Charles Cemetery
174 Church St.
Grand Coteau, LA  70541