U. James Richard

U. James Richard was born in Basile, LA on July 25, 1932 to the union of Laddie Richard and Ivy Langley Richard. He was a 1950 graduate of Basile High School where he lettered in football, basketball and track. He departed this earth on January 25, 2014 at his home in Sulphur. Upon graduation, he and a childhood friend, enlisted in the U.S. Navy, days after the outbreak of the Korean Conflict. While serving in the U.S. Navy, he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the Presidential unit Citation. He received an honorable discharge. James was taught how to officiate basketball games and enjoyed it immensely, so much so that after his discharge from the Navy, he registered with the LHSAA and officiated basketball games in Southwest Louisiana for 28 years. He also officiated college games in the Old Gulf States Conference, which McNeese was a member of then. He had the honor to officiate the Boys High School Top 20 on 4 occasions and the Girls Sweet Sixteen 3 times. He also umpired high school, American Legion, and Babe Ruth baseball for 12 years. James was on the original hire for the start-up of Hercules, Inc. in 1961, working his way from operator to shift foreman. After opting for early retirement from Hercules, Inc. he was in oilfield sales and public relations in south Texas, southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana. James was preceded in death by his parents, Laddie and Ivy Langley Richard; his step mother, Ozema Fruge Richard; 1 sister, Leatrice Lee Didelot, and infant daughter, Phoebe. He is survived by his 6 children, Celize Liz Johnson and husband, Kenneth of Basile, Glynis Kay Christ and husband, Darwin of Basile, Benny Richard, Sr. and wife, Patsy of Hayes, Louise Shelly LeBlanc and husband, Ray of Lake Charles, J. Kent Richard and wife, Gaby of Laredo, TX and Chad Richard of Sulphur; 17 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren; 4 sisters, Deola Fuselier and husband, Claude of Lake Charles, Leola Daugereau and husband, James Ray of Sulphur, Margie Raborn and husband, Doy Red of Monroe and Julia Deloach and husband, David of Lake Charles; and also mourning his loss is his loving companion, Betty Elkins of Westlake. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Johnson and Robison Funeral Home Chapel in Sulphur with Rev. Steve Shirley officiating. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines Cemetery North in Sulphur under the direction of Johnson and Robison Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 from 3-9 p.m. at the funeral home with a rosary at 6 p.m., led by his 4 sisters and will resume on Wednesday at 9 a.m. until time of the service.