Chester J. Guidry

Chester Joseph Guidry, lovingly known to his family as “Big Paw Paw”, has left us to be with his loving wife Agnes in Heaven with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Chester passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2015 at the age of 98 just three weeks shy of celebrating his 99th birthday. Daddy never got over the death of Mamma and lost much of his “Joie de Vivre” (love of life) because of losing her. He loved people and people loved him. He wore many hats during his life, but his God and family always came first. He was a devout Catholic, a family man, and a sportsman (who would occasionally bend the rules just a “little” bit when they put a size limit on Bass). Our dad was a man who loved to laugh, but more so, to see people laugh, especially at his “Boudreaux and Thibodeaux” jokes. He looked forward to his Saturday night bingo games and playing poker with the guys. He was a gentle person who never raised his voice in anger and had the patience of Job. Daddy was a proud Cajun, who came from humble beginnings in Breaux Bridge, LA, and spoke fluent Cajun French until his death. He and Mamma loved to dance to Cajun music and would always draw people’s attention as they danced together flawlessly. Most people don’t know this, but daddy had his own dance band in his younger days in which he played the trumpet. His stage name was “Buddy Guidry”. When an accident ended his music career, he sold his trumpet to buy a wedding ring for Mamma. He was also a very proficient mathematician and represented Breaux Bridge High in many state wide math competitions. In addition to being a World War II veteran, daddy served his community as a Cub Scout leader, a Boy Scout leader, a Knight of Columbus Grand Knight, a tour director, a plant worker, and a T.V. repairman. He also served on the Stanacola Medical Board of Directors and belonged to many Church organizations. He retired from Standard Oil/Esso/Exxon with 37 ½ years of service. He was an Usher and Eucharistic Minister at St. Anthony and St. Charles Catholic Church, and was a current member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Chester was the past president of Istrouma-Land Exxon Annuitants Club. Chester is survived by his children, Richard J. Guidry, Sr. and wife, Joanne of Zachary, LA, Patricia G. Gill and husband, Jessie of Greenwell Springs, LA; grandchildren, Penny Gann and husband, Percy, Traci Rea and husband, Josh, Richard Guidry, Jr. and wife, Amy, Kenneth Guidry, Jeff Gill and wife, Jessica; great-grandchildren, Candice McIntosh, Amanda Jones, Chester K. Guidry, Shelby Guidry, Melyssa Gann, Dylan Rea, Nicholas Rea, Donovan Rea, Summer Guidry, Rileigh Gill, and Kelsey Gill; and great-great grandchildren, Hunter Gann, Joshua McIntosh, Landon Jones, and Reagan Jones. He was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes S. Guidry; parents, Orel and Cecile Guidry, Sr.; brothers, Lester and Orel Guidry, Jr.; sisters, Margaret Hebert and Beatrice Guidry; and grandchildren, Dean A. Guidry, Tyler Guidry, Jessica Guidry, and Karen E. Guidry. Visitation will be held at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church on Monday November 23, 2015 from 9:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will follow on the grounds of Greenoaks Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and great-grandsons: Nicholas Rea, Dylan Rea, Jeff Gill, Richard Guidry, Jr., Kenneth Guidry, and Chester K. Guidry. Special appreciation and heartfelt thanks to his loving caregivers: Jessie Easley and Mary Kitchens. Thank you to the wonderful staff of Amedisys Home Health and Hospice for being so helpful and kind during dad’s illness. Daddy, we thank you for letting us share part of your 98 years on this earth.