‘J.R.’ JUNUS O. RACHAL, JR.
MAY 30, 1927-NOV. 8, 2018
A Mass of Christian burial for J.R. Junus Rachal will be Monday, Nov. 12 at 1:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Cloutierville, with the Rev. Christian I. Ogbonna officiating. Viewing and final respects in Cloutierville is at the church from noon-1 p.m., with a rosary from 1-1:30 p.m. and funeral mass immediately following. Interment will follow at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery. A reception will follow in the church hall.
J.R. departed this life Nov. 8, 2018, after a very lengthy illness at Willow Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Arcadia.
J.R. was born May 30, 1927, and served his country in the Army from Sept. 11, 1945, through Nov. 22, 1946. Shortly after an honorable discharge, he relocated to Los Angeles, Calif., and spent 40 years as an aircraft machinist. He was a charismatic person who loved life and had many adventures, including square dancing in the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. In pursuing his passion of square dancing, he attended the 1987 World Square Dancing Convention in London, England. He retired in 1987 and returned home to enjoy his favorite hobbies of hunting, fishing and square dancing. J.R. was a former long-time member of the Twin City Twirlers Round and Square Dance Club in Pineville and current member of Trinity Twirlers at The United Grace Methodist Church of Ruston.
J.R. was preceded in death by his parents, Junus “Rash” Sr. and Angeline Coutee Rachal; his second wife, Jeraldine LaCour Rachal; sisters, Ella Rachal Bayonne, Elvina Wilson, Rosetta Rachal Nichols, Rozine Rachal and Amelia Jackson; brothers, Henry D. Rachal, Albert Rachal, E.J. Rachal and Lemon Rachal.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Helen Rachal Gomez of Alexandria; son, Roy F. Rachal of Bermuda Community; siblings, Davis Rachal of Shreveport, Adeline Rachal Forman of Shreveport, Mary C. Rachal Thomas of Natchitoches, Angeline Rachal Wilson of Baton Rouge, Joe “T.P.” Rachal of Los Angeles, Mary T. Rachal Canales of Las Cruces, N.M., Marie Rachal Abboud of Shreveport and Roberta Rachal Moses of Shreveport; his recent partner in life, Ms. Peggy Christian of Ruston; and his step-children, Douglas Jr. and wife, Patricia LaCour of Pineville, Mark John and wife Kay LaCour of Katy, Texas, Linda LaCour Shea of Alexandria and Joy Mary LaCour Fisher and husband Ted of Roswell, Ga.; five grandchildren, Victor S. Gomez Jr., Darren A. Gomez, Christie E. Rachal, Jason R. Rachal and Courtney A. Rachal; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
To extend online condolences to the Rachal family, visit www.hixsonbrothers.com.