Anatole Ray Matherne of French Settlement, La., passed away peacefully at his home, which he built skillfully with his hands, surrounded by friends and family, on July 8, 2018. He was 96 years old. Born in French Settlement to Francois Anatole Matherne and Manilia Josephine Aydell Matherne on October 2, 1921, he graduated from French Settlement High in 1939 before serving in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He began at Southeastern Louisiana University in 1941, then served in the United States Navy from 1943-1946, returning home to complete his bachelor’s degree in education in 1949. He finished his master’s degree in 1955 at Louisiana State University, followed by his +30 certificate in education. He was employed as a teacher by the Ascension Parish School Board at Dutchtown High in the summer of 1949, where he met the love of his life, Rachel Marie Craig, also a teacher. They soon married on October 7, 1950. He served as principal at Dutchtown Elementary in 1969 until his retirement in 1979. He resided in Dutchtown from 1950-1997, when, at 76 years of age, he returned to his birthplace in French Settlement. There, he continued cutting, milling, and finishing the wood from his property that would become the beautiful home he and Marie shared together. He loved hunting, fishing, and working in his garden. He led Troop 131 in Dutchtown as Boy Scout Master; belonged to the Ascension and Louisiana Retired Teachers’ Associations, and the Edward Livingston Historical Society; and served as vice president of the French Settlement Historical Society. He was preceded in death by his parents, Anatole and Manilia Matherne; brothers, Nolan Matherne (Donnis), Clifford Matherne (Hazel), and Albert Matherne (Benny); as well as his daughter, Kathie Matherne Polite (Butch). He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Rachel Marie Craig Matherne; daughter, Brenda Matherne Gautreau; sons, Jerome Matherne (Charlotte), Terry Matherne (Sue), Owen Matherne (Debra), Michael "Mike" Matherne (Lindsey); 15 grandchildren, Kyle Matherne, Tyler Matherne, Caitlin Elrod (Norman), Duffi Lawless (Mark), Khaki Hazzlerigg (Scott), Sarah Losh (Phillip), Brian Gautreau (Nancy), Damon Matherne (Valerie), Arwin Nuttal, Seth Matherne (Rachel), Hannah Taylor (Cory), Joseph Matherne (Shawna), Philip Matherne, John Matherne, and David Matherne; 15 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales on Wednesday, July 11, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, July 12, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in French Settlement, La., with visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. and mass at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception in the church hall. Burial with military honors will take place at Louisiana National Cemetery at Port Hudson at 2:30 p.m. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Contributions to honor Ray’s memory can be made to The French Settlement Historical Society or the Ascension Retired Teachers’ Association scholarship fund. To express condolences visit www.oursofh.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18