Thomas "Larry" Richard

Thomas Larry Richard, born October 11, 1941, died Tuesday, May 7, 2024 surrounded by family and friends in Sweetlake at the age of 82.

A farmer and rancher by trade, he graduated from Welsh High School and then attended McNeese State University where he was a member of the rodeo team and selected as Outstanding Cowboy 1963-64.

He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, a parishioner and usher at St. Patrick Catholic Church and an Honorary Chapter Farmer of Future Farmers of America.

Larry enjoyed breeding and racing quarter horses with his brother Lynn and was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association and the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association.

He was an accomplished cowboy and a member of both the Tri-State Rodeo Association and the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association, where he served as Steer Wrestling director from 1978-1981. He was loved, respected and affectionately called “Larry Bob” or “L.B.” by many high school boys whom he coached in the steer wrestling event. He assisted them in and out of the arena to multiple local and national championships.

A hard-working and trusted friend to many, he was most loved by his family including his wife, Dezere Miller Richard of Sweetlake; daughter Afton Varnado of Stephenville, Texas; and stepchildren Neil Foster (Patsy) and Kelly Mudd (Lance) of Sweetlake and Holly Berry (David) of Locust Grove, Oklahoma.

Larry was “Pop” to grandchildren Kyle Varnado, T.R. Varnado (Abigail), Chase Varnado (Taylor), Sierra Felton (Sy) all of Texas and Kyla Richard (Brett), Kallan Stout (Christopher), Marlie Martin (Adam) and Quincy Kennedy (Kendall) all of Sweetlake. Pop was also blessed with 14 great grandchildren. The third of nine children, Larry is survived by his brother Lynn Richard (Gloria) of Iowa, sisters Delores Myers and Eloise Myers, both of Lake Charles, Elia Breaux of Wilmington, North Carolina, Ranella Fruge (Bob) of Lacassine and Sandra Richard of Woodlawn. “Uncle Larry” also enjoyed a very close relationship with many of his 24 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Edna Mott Richard, and brothers Sheridan and Michael Richard.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 PM on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Msgr. James Gaddy will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Sweetlake-Grand Lake Community Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles beginning on the evening of Friday, May 10 at 4:00 PM and continuing until 8:00 PM with a rosary being recited at 6:00 PM. Visitation will resume on Saturday at 12:00 Noon and continue until leaving in procession to the church.