Joseph Richard, Jr.

Joseph Oscar J. O. Richard, Jr.
Opelousas Funeral services for Mr. Joseph Oscar Richard, Jr. known to many as J. O. Richard, age 69, will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2010, with a Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Peter Catholic Church in Carencro. Interment will be private in the St. Peter Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum.
Father Bill J. Melancon will celebrate the Mass.
He was a native of Opelousas and was a longtime resident of the Arnaudville area. He died on Tuesday, September 28, 2010, at his residence.
He was a member of the Company B 769th Signal Battalion, National Guard of Opelousas for eight years. He was trained and on standby to go to Vietnam. Also, he was called out to assist for Hurricane Betsy in New Orleans.
J. O. was a Police Officer. Started as a Radio Operator and advanced in ranks over the years when they had two patrol units and later retired as Asst. Chief of the City of Opelousas Police Department. He had to retire due to his disability of September 12, 1973. He retired on September 15, 1979, with 20 years of service or better. He was shot five times while on duty, September 12, 1973, during a bank robbery of the American Bank of Opelousas. J. O. lost his right leg after being injured gangrene had set in the leg and had to be amputated on October 4, 1973. J. O. also battled with liver problems, Hepatitis C due to Blood Transfusion he received in 1973 from the 29 pints of blood that was not screened. He did not know that would end his earthly life. Now, he has moved on to his heavenly home. Eternal Life. My Hero, yes I would say he was by all means a Hero. J.O. had many hobbies which were fishing, boating, dancing, videoing, taking pictures, and camping. He loved his wife, children, grandchildren, family and friends very much. They will always be in our prayers.
J. O. was a member of the Louisiana Police Association, Municipal Police Officer Association and was a member of the N. U. P. O. Local 810. He was awarded the Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer on Feb. 9, 1975 Third Advance Course in Service Training by Louisiana State University Extension Service, Outstanding Young Law Officer by Opelousas Jaycees in 1975, and the Common Sense Against Crime and Crime fighters was presented to J. O. Richard, the award of Valor on April 6, 2002.
J. O. was a Deputy with St. Landry Parish Sheriff Department.
J. O. and his wife had a business which was Richards Billard and Supplys which they owned for many years. They closed the business when J. O. retired on Sept. 15, 1979, due to his disability.
He was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Carencro and C.C.R. Catholic Charismatic Renewal with the Diocese of Lafayette. He and his wife distributed communion to many home bounds. He would video the conferences at St. Thomas Moore High School and make audio tapes for St. Peter Catholic Church and for people who could not attend Sunday Mass.
He was also a member of Bonne Most Society, Sacred Hearth League at St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in Carencro.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Patricia Breaux Richard for 46 years of Arnaudville. Together with his wife, they have two children: Mona Gayle Richard Bodoin and husband, Troy of Carencro and Joseph Oscar Richard III Joey and fianc, Julie Jenkins of Madisonville grandchildren: Colby, Corey, Cameron, Catelyn, Cheyanne, Channon, Cara, Ceth, and Caleb Bodoin Hope Richard and Allison Richard one sister, Mrs. C. V. LaHaye, Jr. Audrey and spouse, Sonny of Lafayette motherinlaw, Mrs. Rena Leger Breaux of Lafayette brothers and sistersinlaw: Gervis and Jeannette Zerangue of Lafayette Paul and Myra Davidson of Kingswood, TX Tom and Mary Mako of Lafayette and Ronald and Sandy Breaux of Lafayette and his godchildren: Michael LaHaye, Garrett Zerangue, Duncan Simon, and Carla Faye Carrol Marks.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Oscar Richard, Sr. mother, Elizabeth Zula Meche Richard Scrantz stepfather, Lee Roy Scrantz and fatherinlaw, Oneil Breaux, Jr.
Visiting hours will be observed in the Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas on Friday, October 1, 2010, from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m. On Saturday, visitation will continue in the funeral home from 8 a.m. until 9 a.m. Then the funeral procession will proceed to the St. Peter Catholic Church in Carencro. Then, visitation will continue from 11:00 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. in the church.
A Rosary service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening in the funeral home.
Pallbearers will be Joseph Oscar Richard III Joey, Corey Bodoin, Joseph Raymond Lanclos, Lee Roy Zerangue, Paul Gennuso, and Clayton Kidder.
Honorary pallbearers will be Troy and Mona Bodoin, Julie Jenkins, Sonny and Audrey LaHaye, Gervis and Jeannette Zerangue, Paul and Myra Davidson, Tom and Mary Mako, Ronald and Sandy Breaux, Becky Lanclos, Allen and Elaine Guillory, Jessie and Kaye Ryder, Earl Kidder, and Rose Bodoin.
The family wish to extend many Thank Yous to all who has extended their time and help and most of all their prayers during our time of need. We want to say Thank you to our doctors and priests who cared for J. O.: Dr. Fernando L. Allemany and staff, Dr. Carlos Mendez and staff, Dr. Seldon Deshotels dear friend for many, many years, Dr. John Rainey and staff, Dr. Fredrick Rodosta and staff, Dr. Bordelon of OGH Sleep center and staffChad, Lisa, and Lynn Dr. Robert L. Menuet, Dr. Michael Ziad Dibbs, Dr. George Raymond Williams and staff, Dr. Blaine H. Hoppe and staff, Dynamic CareSteven, Hospice Care of AvoyellesTim, Liz, and T., Father Albert Gayle Nunez, known as Paw Paw Father Angelo Cremaldi, Father Michael Champagne, Father Bill Melancon and staff of St. Peter Catholic Church of Carencro, and dear friends of Carencro Deacons Gene, Ken , Gary, Jerome, Randy, and Families Opelousas Police Department, Chief Perry Gallow, Mrs. Foster, Mary Harris, and workers with the City of Opelousas, and the Honor Guards with the City of Opelousas Police Department his legal advisor, J. Mayor Donald Cravins, Sr. , and most all Paul Gennusoalways helping us when in need and helping his people.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, October 1, 2010
410 pmSat. 89 am

Service

Visitation

St. Peter Catholic Church
102 North Church Street
Carencro, LA  70520
Saturday, October 2, 2010
11:00 a.m1:00 pm

Rosary Service

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, October 1, 2010
7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial

St. Peter Catholic Church
102 Noth Church Street
Carencro, LA  70520
Saturday, October 2, 2010
1:00 pm