Church Point, LA:             A Mass for the Dead will be celebrated at 2:00 PM on Friday, August 25,2023 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Richard, for Remie McGee, Jr., 97, who passed away peacefully on Friday, August 18th, at his home in Richard, surrounded by his family. Fr. Korey R. LaVergne, Pastor of St. Edward Catholic Church will be the mass celebrant, with a gravesite ceremony to be held immediately after the mass in the St. Edward Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Guidry Funeral Home on Friday, August 25th beginning at 8:00 AM, until the time of departure for the funeral mass, with a recitation of the Rosary to be held at 11:00 AM.

"Ray", as he was known to most, was born in Pitreville, La., the fourth and youngest child to Remie McGee, Sr. and Violet Godeau McGee. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Madeline Myrtle Leger McGee, five children, Hope Wimberley and husband Lee, Carla Harmon and husband Al, Timothy McGee and Lorie McGee and fiance', Kemble Olivier, all of Church Point, and Daphne McGee and husband Daniel Romero of Lafayette; ten grandchildren, Kathryn Richard (Dustin), Todd Wimberley (Carrie), Claire Freeby (Kevin), Jessica Branch (David), Allyson Shoffiett (Mitchell), Zachary Harmon (Andrea), Kristen Smith, Rachel Thibodeaux (Dustan), Emily McGee, and Matthew McGee; twenty four great grandchildren, Conrad, Isabella and Reece Richard, Remie Wimberley, Liam and Evelyn Freeby, Zane and Cole Branch, Layne, Madeline, Anna and Ella Shoffiett, Russell, Rebecca and Marshall Harmon, Divya and Luxli Smith, Austin, Emma and Scarlett Thibodeaux, Kaedance and Kaii McGee, Karston Powell and Karmyn Stevens; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Margie Francois; two brothers, Elwood McGee and Dean McGee; one brother-in-law, Oren Francois; and two sisters in law, Hilda D. McGee and Sylvia B. McGee.

Ray grew up on the farm in Richard after his family moved there from Pitreville in 1935. He attended Richard Elementary and thereafter, Church Point High School. After high school, he was drafted and served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946. He was located at various stateside army bases where he served as a drill sergeant, conditioning and training troops for battle during World War II, and as an instructor in the use of cannon and tank weaponry. After re-enlisting, he served as an ROTC instructor at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. After his service, he received an honorable discharge, and returned home to the farm in Richard. He met and married his wife, whom he called his greatest gift, a teacher at Richard Elementary and together they raised their family on the farm. He was a successful farmer of rice, soybeans and cattle. A lifelong resident of the Richard Community in Acadia Parish, he served on numerous community boards and committees. He was a past Member of the Board of Directors of SLEMCO, Member and President of the Louisiana Rural Electric Association (LREA), Member and President of the Acadia Parish Farm Bureau, Member of the Parish, State and National Farm Bureau, Member of  the Louisiana State Farm Bureau Rice Committee, Member of the Board of Directors for the District 4-H Livestock Show & Sale, Member of the Board of Directors and Secretary-Treasurer of the Bayou Plaquemine and Wycoff Drainage Districts, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the United Methodist Church in Church Point, Member of St. Edward Catholic Church, Member of the Board of Directors of the Acadia-St. Landry Hospital District, Member of the American Legion, and a lifelong Member of the Acadia Parish Fire District No. 1. As a supporter of local community, he was also a founding Member of the Church Point Aquatic Club, and he along with farmer friends and family, utilized their knowledge of farming and equipment to renovate and reconstruct the CPHS football field in the 60's. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a pillar of strength for his family and showed great courage and determination throughout his life. He was loved and respected, and having positively influenced many lives, will be greatly missed. His memory will be honored and cherished.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to his medical providers, Dr. Michael Williams, Jackie and staff, Mr. Sam Heinen and the staff of Allegiance Hospice and his caretaker, Ms. Becky McCullough, all of whom were his friends.  Many thanks also to family and friends who rendered their loving care and support. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or a charity of your choice. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Guidry Funeral Home of Church Point.