Charles Ray Manuel
Charles Ray Manuel
LAFAYETTE – Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at a 1 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial in La Chapelle de Martin & Castille for Charles Ray Manuel, 83, who passed away peacefully on Monday, March 3, 2008 at Lafayette General Medical Center.
Interment will be in Fountain Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Lafayette.
Reverend Chester Arceneaux, Pastor of Our Lady of Wisdom Catholic Church, will be the Celebrant of the funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Lectors and Giftbearers will be Megan Oliver and Kate Delcambre. Jodi Bollich, organist and soloist, will sing for the services, “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman”, “Be Not Afraid”, “On Eagles’ Wings”, “Battle Hymn of the Republic”,“The Rose” and “You Are Mine”.
Survivors include his daughters, Patricia Delcambre and her husband, Adam and Katherine Oliver and her husband, Dana; two grandchildren, Kate Delcambre and Megan Oliver; and his dear friend, Mrs. Garry Aycock.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Willa Mae Richard Manuel; his father, Anthony Manuel and his mother, Alma Young Manuel.
Mr. Manuel was born in Eunice and moved with his family to Crowley where he was raised. He graduated from St. Michael’s High School in 1942, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 12, 1943, gaining the rating of Pharmacist Mate First Class. After completing active duty in 1945 he moved to Lafayette with his wife Willa and began working for People’s Cotton Oil Company. For most of his life, he worked in the agri-business industry, beginning with the Armour Fertilizer Company. Mr. Manuel would also work in management for the Occidental Chemical Corporation ultimately retiring as manager of the Bonus Crop Fertilizer Company in Crowley. He would live over forty years as a Lafayette resident.
Ray loved to meet with the “money counters” on Monday mornings at Our Lady of Wisdom Church, enjoying coffee and conversation with his friends. His true passion was tending his roses. He gained many friends through his affiliation with the Acadiana Rose Club as a consulting rosarian and with the American Rose Society as well. He loved to tend the public gardens with his rose “buddies” and reluctantly gave up that task not very long ago. We will fondly remember him patiently deadheading his roses with his faithful “puppy”, Rusty, trailing after him.
The family wished to thank friends and relatives for their support of Mr. Manuel during his illness, particularly those caregivers and doctors at Lafayette General Medical Center, who worked so diligently in caring for him. Their compassion extended toward our family will always be remembered.
Pallbearers will be Adam Delcambre, Dana Oliver, Paul Gauthier, Jason Sonnier, Tamer Khouri and Eric Duplechain. Honorary pallbearers will be Eve Benoit, John Benoit, Bobby Miller, A.C. Miller, Joseph Miller and Harris Miller.
A Rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m. by James Louviere on Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at Martin & Castille Funeral Home in Lafayette.
Visiting hours will be observed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, and will continue from 9 a.m. until time of services on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Manuel’s name may be made to Our Lady of Wisdom Church, 501 East St. Mary Boulevard, Lafayette, LA. 70503.
View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com.