Rayfield Joseph Lavan, Jr.

Rayfield Joseph Lavan, Jr., 57, of Lake Charles, LA passed away at 4:11 AM on Sunday, July 3, 2011 at his residence.

Mr. Lavan was born February 20, 1954 in Kinder, LA and lived in Lake Charles most of his life. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School, was a 1972 graduate of St. Louis Catholic High School, and attended McNeese State University. He was employed at Conoco Phillips for thirty-six years, where he worked as a Lab Technician in the Refinery lab. Mr. Lavan was a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church. He was an avid Harley Davidson and Corvette enthusiast. He will always be remembered for his dedication to his family and as a loving husband, father, and dedicated friend.

Mr. Lavan leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of thirty years, Ella Declouet Lavan of Lake Charles; son, Rayfield Joseph Lavan, III and wife Diztorsha Jefferson Lavan of Orange, TX; brother, Gregory Lavan of Lake Charles, grandmother, Alice Gradney of Lake Charles; father-in-law, Thaddeus Declouet, Jr. of Lake Charles; aunts, Jessica Keuper of Beavercreek, OH and Mary Anne Stewart of Westchester, IL; uncles, Willard Lavan of Lake Charles and Jack Keuper of Beavercreek, OH along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rayfield Joseph Lavan Sr. and Marie Gradney Lavan and grandparents.

Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home on Friday from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a rosary at 6:00 PM. Visitation will continue on Saturday at the funeral home from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM. His funeral service will be at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at St. Margaret Catholic Church. Father Bill Miller will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery