Billy R. Larocca

Mr. Billy R. LaRocca, 72, of Lake Charles, passed away peacefully in his residence surrounded by his family on March 29, 2017.. Mr. LaRocca was born in Lake Charles to Leon and Mary LaRocca on September 5, 1944.

He grew up in the Goosport area where he loved playing sports, especially basketball. Even at an early age he loved to teach the younger kids and this would eventually lead him to a career in teaching. He attended Lake Charles High School where he was a four-year letterman in basketball and on several all state teams.

After his graduation from Lake Charles High School in 1963, he attended McNeese State University where he received a degree in Health and Physical Education. After graduation from McNeese he started his teaching career in Houston but returned to Calcasieu Parish two years later and started teaching at Iowa High School, coaching basketball, football and track. He also taught at Oak Park Middle School before finishing his teaching career at Western Heights Elementary. He retired in June of 1999. Following his retirement, he began playing golf five days a week at Pine Shadows dogfight. Once Pine Shadows closed he played a big part in getting the dogfight to Mallard Cove where he was on the board of directors. He was later crowned the Champion of the 2016 Lake Charles Rayburn Cup.

He leaves to honor his memory, one son, Brian LaRocca and wife Kim; daughter, Kim Dupin and husband Homer; seven grandchildren, Emily, Hunter, Tanner, Grant, Kaley, Bryce and Jake. One great-grandchild (on the way), Fisher. Also, left to cherish his memory are his brothers Benny (Betty) LaRocca and Leonard (Barbara) LaRocca as well as his sister Shirley Wing.

God sent Frances Jeffords, a true living angel and his love, to be with him for the last 14 years of his life. Frances’ children are; Emma Mulhearn (Thomas) and their children, Ella and Hailey; Karen Moreau (Richard) and their children Charlie and Alice; and “adopted daughter” Andrea Pell (Al) and their children Lee and Taylor.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Mary LaRocca, along with his brother Charles LaRocca.

Mr. LaRocca will be remembered as a kind man with the “biggest heart”. He had no enemy’s and loved everyone.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, April 1, 2017 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Monsignor Daniel Torres will officiate. Inurnment will follow in the St. Luke Simpson Columbarium. Dr. John Robert Black will officiate. Visitation Saturday will be from 9:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home with a rosary at 10:30AM.