Ray Michael Kunst

Ray Michael Kunst, aged 79, passed away in his Patterson home on Sunday, April 2, 2017. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 8, at Trinity Episcopal Church of Morgan City, beginning with visitation at 11:00 a.m, Masonic Funeral at 11:30 a.m., and a liturgical celebration with the Eucharist at 12 noon.

A resident of the Tri-City area for over five decades, Ray welcomed many to “make some sawdust” in his shop or to come to Tuesday Bible Class “with some good people” or continue the difficult walk of sobriety “one day at a time” at a weekly AA meeting. He understood that we are all children of God, perfectly imperfect, yet sharing dreams, hopes, fears, and sorrows – “accepting hardship as the pathway to peace” and “trusting that He will make all things right”.

Ray was born to Frank and Grace Doland Kunst in Portage County, Ohio, on January 4, 1938. He was preceded in death by both parents and his elder sister, Barbara Kunst Kaiser, who had been influenced to become a reading teacher in part because of Ray’s struggles with dyslexia. His younger brother, Robert Frank Kunst, also retired as a professional educator. Despite the struggles in academics, Ray channeled his intense curiosity by being active in boy scouts, helping at his father’s SOHIO station, participating in his church youth group, marching in Ravenna High School’s band as a sousaphone player, serving with the Merchant Marines, building and racing stock cars with Judi Stark Shell (sister of Kathy Stark Schmidt), and completing a technical/stage director training program at the Lakewood Little Theater (now Beck Center of Performing Arts).

After designing sets for both the Lakewood Theater and the Cleveland Playhouse, Ray began his “temporary” life in Louisiana as an offshore diver. Though his marriage to Roxanne Ghirardi Brown seemed brief enough to continue on to California to fulfill his dream of working in theater, his love for his two daughters from this union – Kimberly Kunst Domangue and Paige Kunst Vincent (married to Scott Vincent of Lafayette) – compelled him to build his life here in South Louisiana. He worked his way from the engine room to the wheelhouse to the Port Captain’s radio, all the while digging in roots. He added to his family tree a lifelong friend and former spouse, Judy Louviere, and her two daughters – Lisa Simpson Reed (wife of Mike Reed) and Julie Simpson Bush (wife of Mike Bush) – who “will never just be people down the street” and were part of “these are our four girls” for many years.

Ray was able to yet again pick up the playbill and share his craftsmanship with the Nicholls State University Drama Department, under the direction of Dr. Mel Berry, for over a decade. Ray further channeled his incessant creativity into the beginning years of the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival’s Children’s Village, now a mainstay of the annual community celebration. A particular joy that made him “want to burst with pride” was that his two grandchildren – Jeremy Paul Domangue and Lauren Paige Domangue (their father being Paul Domangue) – were able to enjoy the sights, sounds, and activities of the children’s area.

Life quieted as retirement years allowed Ray to focus more on the spiritual and philanthropic aspects of life, becoming a 33rd Degree Freemason and Shriner for the Patterson lodge. He continued to be an active communicant of Trinity Episcopal Church and the Morgan City Alcohol Anonymous groups.

Ray leaves behind his church family at Trinity Episcopal Church, his AA group, and many others like Matt Bourque, Doc and Pam Daniels, Mr. John Hroncich (Sunday night news and politics), the Trinity Episcopal congregation, and the old timers’ AA group, who were all dearly loved as family by Ray.

God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change...

Courage to change the things I can, and Wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His will. That I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with Him forever in the next.

Amen.

Arrangements under the direction of Hargrave Funeral Home, Morgan City, LA.