Johnny Ray Mere

Johnny Ray Mere, 71, of Lake Charles passed away Friday, June 27, 2014 in a local hospital. Mr. Mere was a lifelong resident of Lake Charles. He was a graduate of LaGrange High School and served the United States Navy as a skilled Machinist during Vietnam. Mr. Mere began his career as a successful businessman at Mere's Grocery and Wrecker Service, the family businesses. He established Mere's Trucking in 1979, serving the oilfield industry, further branching into nationwide tanker truck business. Mr. Mere was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed camping, hunting and couldn't do enough fishing. His downtime was spent watching the history channel or cheering on his "LSU Tigers". His greatest love was his high school sweetheart, Clo, the children they raised and most importantly, their grandchildren. Mr. Mere showed his family the country, "RV-ing" every summer, managing to visit every state. Their latest journey was a family cruise to Alaska, as they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Mr. Mere never met a stranger, was a friend to many and will be greatly missed. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Clo Ellen Bourque Mere; three children, Michele Mere Scism and husband Ebbie, Trent Douglas Paul Mere and wife Elizabeth and Brandy Mere Price; all of Lake Charles; his mother, Mildred R. Mere of Lake Charles; ten grandchildren, Timothy Dupuis, Nicholas Dupuis, Allyson Desormeaux, Bryan Desormeaux, Lauren Mere, Julie Mere, Adam Mere, Andrew Price, Hudson Price and Luke Mere; one great-grandchild, Cayden Dupuis; one sister, Trudy Hutton and husband Tom; two brothers, Claby Mere, Jr. and wife Julie and Arcin Mere and wife Joyce of San Antonio, TX. He also leaves his lifelong friend, Jim "Hopper" Hughes and wife Joann of Sulphur. He was preceded in death by his father, Claby Mere. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 01, 2014 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation Monday will be from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with a Cursillo rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. Visitation Tuesday will be from 9:00 AM until 10:45 AM in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul at www.olqh.org.