Michael Wayne Rasberry

Michael Wayne Rasberry, 60, of Lake Charles, LA died at 12:50 AM on Monday, September 5, 2011 at his residence.

Born March 15, 1951 in Bunkie, LA, Mike was a graduate of C. F. Byrd High School. He attended Louisiana State University where he received his Master's Degree and more importantly met his wife of thirty-seven years. He has lived and raised his family in Lake Charles, LA working at Louisiana Menhaden Company and PPG as an Environmental Lab Analyst, retiring in 2006. Mike's strongest passion was avidly participating in his children's lives where he played the role of coach, Scout Master and most of all a cheerleader. Mike was the definition of a great outdoorsman. His other favorite pastime was found in nature. Deer hunting and fly fishing were the activities that he treasured the most and shared with his wife Debbie. They went on many adventures together exploring the woods, rivers and streams of Alaska, Canada and Montana. Mike attended First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.

Mike is survived by his loving wife, Debbie Dickens Rasberry; daughter, Carrow Rasberry of New York; son, Dr. Matthew Rasberry and fiance'e Farris Hall of Alexandria, LA; mother, Christine Rasberry of Shreveport, LA; sisters, Christa Straub and husband Tom of Auburn, AL and Sharon Hughey and husband Bill of Albany, GA; mother-in-law, Frances Dickens; brother-in-law, Horace L. Dickens, Jr. and wife Cathi, all of Lake Charles; and beloved dog, Elsie Bell.

He was preceded in death by his father, Luther Ray Rasberry and father-in-law, Horace L. Dickens, Sr.

His funeral service will be 1:00 PM on Friday, September 9, 2011 at the First United Methodist Church. Reverends Louis Blankenbaker and Weldon Bares will officiate. Burial will follow in Prien Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be at the church on Friday from 11:00 AM until the start of the service.

The family would like to express a special word of thanks to Charles Allison, Ray Marcantel, and Rosanna Ryan, Christus St. Patrick Hospice, and everyone who had a part in his care.

Donations can be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780 or the National Parkinson's Foundation, 1501 N.W. 9th Avenue / Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494.