Richard A. Yoder

Our beloved father, grandfather, and husband Richard ("Dick") A. Yoder passed away Saturday, December 7, 2013 in his sleep. He was born on February 10, 1933 in Roanoke, Virginia, and had many years ago established his family, home, business and life in Lake Charles and Moss Bluff. Arrangements are being made at Johnson Funeral Home on Lake Street, in Lake Charles. Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home beginning at 5:00 PM on Monday, December 9, followed by a rosary at 6:00 PM. A Catholic service will be held at St. Theodore Catholic Church in Moss Bluff with visitation at 9:30 AM, service at 10:30 on Tuesday, December 10. Dick ("Dad" or "Poppie") was best known as the model of a family man and member of the community. He was a generous, kind, and loving father and friend, whose life actually began with his military service at the age of 17. After a tour in Korea, he returned to Ft. Polk and met his wife of many years, Hazel Manuel of Oberlin, with whom he had six children. Dick, Hazel and their children lived on Crescent Drive in Lake Charles before moving to Moss Bluff. Many will recall her untimely death in 1991. In 1993 he was wed to Faye (Moreau) Guidry, and with her made their home in Moss Bluff for the past twenty years. Most will not know that Dick was given up as a baby, but raised by adoptive parents who struggled in ways we will never fully appreciate. He had little formal education, but was gifted with a clever streak, as all who knew him certainly noted. After a childhood in Virginia and New Orleans, he became a cartographer in the Army, and worked for years at Standard Supply and Hardware Company in Lake Charles. In the early 1960's he took over Oil Equipment Sales and Service, which he later evolved into Oilquip, Inc. of Lake Charles. Oilquip became Dick's vocation for the rest of his life, and his sons and daughter all joined him in the venture at times, and they continue today. Dick's gifts and business acumen changed his life and that of many who knew him. He was active at St. Margaret's Catholic Church in Lake Charles, and later at St. Theodore in Moss Bluff. All who knew Dick, and there are many, will always remember his rare nature. He was, above all, hard working and generous. He was a tireless man who found it difficult to sit still. Even in the decline of recent years, he was fun, and funny. He was demanding of others and of himself. We loved him dearly for all of that. From the time he first knew the love of family, family is all he ever wanted. It was the center of his world, the root of strength from which this oak of a man extended his reach. Blessed were all who were found a place in his shade. He was inspiring to us all, and we are all better for having known and loved him. In addition to the many friends, business associates, and church family, Dick is survived his loving and devoted wife, Faye, and by his six children, Paul, now of Little Rock, Toni, of Lake Charles, Pat, now of Houston, Pete, now of Baton Rouge, Phil and Perry, both of Lake Charles, as well as by their families. The family has many grandchildren and great grandchildren, who also grieve and celebrate Dick's passing. In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Theodore Catholic Church, Moss Bluff, La.