NEW IBERIA – A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Mr. Richard Walter Carver, 88, who passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on September 9, 2018. Services will be at 10:00 am Thursday, September 13 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 am until time of service on Thursday at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with a rosary at 9:30 am.
Richard, affectionately known as “Opa” to his grandchildren, was a native and resident of New Iberia. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from SLI (UL) and was a United States Navy Veteran who proudly served his country while stationed in both Japan and Hawaii. He later started his own business, Carver Equipment Company, servicing the local agricultural industry. Richard was an active member of the community involving himself with Boy Scouts, IPAL community theater, Acadiana Fly Rodders Association, community band, and St. Francis Diner, to name a few. Richard was a humble man with a great sense of humor who was always willing to help out a neighbor. He enjoyed the outdoors and had a true appreciation of nature and loved animals. A man of many interest, from speaking Spanish and playing the drums, to painting and carving, Richard loved the challenge of learning something new. He also enjoyed fishing, reading, history, traveling, visiting museums, and training his dogs.
Richard valued faith and family above all else. His wife, children, and seven grandchildren were the greatest joy of his life. Though he was an only child, Richard was devoted to his many cousins and childhood friends. He was honored to be a pallbearer for those faithful friends more than 20 times. A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Richard will be truly and deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Richard is survived by his wife of 48 years, Dorothy Cole Carver of New Iberia; son, James Carver; daughters, Karen Carver Barbier and husband Carl and their children Emilie, Evan, and Elise; and Christine Carver Sanford and husband Curtis, and their children Sophie, Sadie, Sydnie, and Curtis Layton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Leon Edwin and Frances Simon Carver.
To view on-line obituary, and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
