Leonard James Guidry

Leonard Guidry died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, at age 81 after a battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Mercye Lee Guidry; and his parents, Ella and Jules Guidry. He leaves behind his loving son, Dale and wife Gloria Guidry; two sisters, Marion Watson and Gloria Barbin; grandchildren, Beau, Zachary and Taylor Guidry; stepgrandchildren, Gloria, Dustin and Heidi; nephews, Gary Watson, Wayne Barbin and Jay Barbin; nieces, Caroyln Watson and Betty Cortez; and a very special friend and ex-daughter-in-law, Lisa Bossom. The wake will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Friday, Dec. 22, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a rosary to be recited by the ushers, Knights of Columbus Society and Ladies Altar Society at 7 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at St. Louis King of France Catholic Church on Saturday, Dec. 23, at noon. Entombment inGreenoaksMemorial Park. Pallbearers will be Wayne Barbin, Jay Barbin, Lyndon Claybrook, Beau Guidry, Zachary Guidry and Curtis Barbay. Honorary pallbearers are Dr. Michael Castine, Dr. William Russell and Brian Wilson, tax assessor. He was a former owner of a Baskin-Robbins franchise, and had been most recently working as a deputy assessor forEast Baton Rouge. He was very active in Lions Club work and had a perfect attendance for 47 years before becoming ill. He was with Lakeshore Lions some 40 years, forming the Southeast Lions Club. One of Leonard's favorite projects in Lions works was the Crippled Children's Camp in Leesville and the eye foundation hospital in New Orleans. For years he helped bring the handicapped to Leesville for camping session. The Lions held camping sessions with no cost to parents. He was voted outstanding Lion of the Year on five different occasions. Leonard was chosen the Baton Rouge Business Society outstanding leader in business. He was past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus 969, in which he started a fundraiser, Sausage Po-Boy Day, for the Knights. Leonard was very active in the Baton Rouge Inter-Civic Council, which with The Advocate sponsors the annual Golden Deeds award. He was a 25-year participant in the Golden Deeds program, president of the Inter-Civic Council and past chairman of Golden Deeds. Leonard was very active in St. Louis King of France Church work, being a lector, Eucharistic minister and usher (past president). He was past president of the local chapter of AARP and was on the Council on Aging board for many years. He will be missed greatly by all the many, many people who love him. He now joins his wife, with whom he will share eternal rest and peace in the Lord Jesus Christ.