Sidney John Richard, Jr, a native of Franklin, Louisiana and resident of Gonzales, was born December 15, 1935 and died September 18, 2022 at the age of 86. Sidney grew up in Franklin and graduated from Hanson Memorial High School in 1953. He attended Louisiana State University from 1953-1957, majoring in Chemical Engineering and Industrial Chemistry and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. While at LSU, Sidney met Gayle Allen, a native of New Orleans. On May 18, 1957, the two were married. Moving to Franklin, they began their family, raising five girls, Winx, Rene, Rachelle, Cherie, and Arthe. In Franklin, Sidney worked for the city as a police radio dispatcher, a consultant for the Department of Agriculture and Sterling Sugars before settling in at Cities Service Columbia Carbon Division where he worked until retirement. As Instrument Supervisor, Sidney was well respected for his knowledge and expertise in his field and did consultant work after his retirement. Sidney had a passion for the outdoors. He loved hunting, fishing and SCUBA diving. As a certified SCUBA diver, he was often called to perform search and rescue or fix rig equipment. Hunting and fishing were his favorite and gave him great joy. Having no sons, Sidney often took one of his girls with him to the camp, teaching them to appreciate and respect the land and water and what it had to offer, something they are appreciative of today. As his girls grew older and more involved in activities, Sidney would take nephews, cousins and friends hunting and fishing with him. He was thrilled to welcome five sons-in-law into the family, and later grandsons, to share in his passion. Besides his love for the outdoors, Sidney was known for his quiet demeanor and dry sense of humor. He didn’t say much, but when he did people listened. He and Gayle enjoyed getting together with friends, playing cards, dancing and spending time together at the camp. He loved to cook and often shared “new” cuisine with family and friends never telling what he had prepared until every plate was cleaned. In his later years, Sidney, better known as Pere by the kids, loved being a grandfather and great grandfather. In 2019, Sidney and Gayle moved to Francois Bend in Gonzales where Sidney lived until his death. Sidney is preceded in death by his father, Sidney (Pops); mother, Winifred (Muzzie); sisters, Patty Champagne and Sidonia Bodin; and brother, Sidwin Richard. He is survived by his wife Gayle; five daughters, Winx (Chris) Whitney, Rene (Mesut) Bakkal, Rachelle (Chris) Markerson, Cherie (Mike) Fletcher and Arthe (Jesse) Lambert; his sisters, Hope Sansing and Sharon (Don) Biggs. He is also survived by his 14 grandchildren, Chris, Ashley, Sydney, Matthew, Michael W., Michael F., Alyse, Meagan, Leah, Jesse Jr., Davis, Evan, Emily and Baldwin; as well as seven great grandchildren, Cooper, Logan, Sebastian, Benjamin, Lucy, Lucas and Nicolas. Services will be held Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church, Burnside St., Gonzales, LA. Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. with the Memorial Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. (Arrangements handled by Ourso Funeral Home Gonzales). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Bridgeway Hospice Gonzales. https://bridgewayhospice.net/donate. The family would like to extend special thanks to the amazing staff at Francois Bend and to those who took such special care of Sidney, and to the residents who have offered such support. They would also like to express deep gratitude to Bridgeway Hospice of Gonzales for their loving care and dedication. Special thanks to Felicia Arthur, Sarah Patty, and Deborah Booth, all whom showed nothing but compassion and kindness. To all, the family is eternally grateful. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oursofh.com for the Richard family.
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