Mr. Raymond Ray Charles Gele

Raymond Charles Gelé, at the age of 73, died on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, from congestive heart failure. Born in New Orleans on August 6, 1937, Raymond, the oldest of fifty-four grandchildren, was preceded by his father Pierre William Gelé, mother Dallas Brugier Gelé, grandfathers Pierre Victor Gelé and Marcel Evariste Brugier, and grandmothers Emma Lagarde Gelé and Theodora Relimpio Brugier.

Raymond played ball at St. Roch Park and graduated from St. Aloysius High School in 1955. He served in the United States Army, including a tour of Europe guarding the West German-Czechoslovakian border. His service was book-ended by the Berlin and Cuban Missile Crises. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant Grade E-5 in 1964. After returning from Europe he coached playground football for several years.

He married his wife of 43 years, JoAnn Bertha Lotz, on June 10, 1967, at St. Raphael the Archangel Church in New Orleans.

Except for two years in the Army, Raymond worked from the age of fourteen, until his retirement, at Professional Sport Shop, Inc., a renowned New Orleans hunting and fishing institution owned and operated by the Gelé Family since 1948. He served as part-owner and President in the 1980s and 90s, guiding the business through the oil bust and Mayor Marc Morial’s controversial gun suit that was thrown out of court.

In the 1980s Raymond enjoyed riding with his family in the Elks Krewe of Orleanians Mardi Gras Parade. Beloved for his sharp wit and great sense of humor, Raymond enjoyed Saints football, political commentary, crossword puzzles and vacation cruises around the globe.

Except during his military tour of duty in Europe, and a brief evacuation post Hurricane Katrina, he resided his entire life in the City of New Orleans.

Raymond is survived by his wife, JoAnn Lotz Gelé, son Stephen Michael Gelé (husband of Monica Sanusi Gelé), daughter Stephanie Marie Gelé Dupépé, granddaughters Julia Simone Gelé, Olivia Rene Dupépé, Emma Josephine Gelé and Taylor Marie Dupépé, brother Ronald Joseph Gelé (husband of Geraldine Beal Gelé), and sister Karen Gelé Herrmann (wife of Joseph Lloyd Herrmann).

Visitation shall be from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Monday, November 29, 2010, to be followed by a Funeral Mass, at Schoen Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, and then internment at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, 3421 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans. His son Stephen Michael Gelé, brother Ronald Joseph Gelé, nephews Mark Christopher Gelé and Shaun Joseph Gelé, cousin James Edward Gelé and brother-in-law Joseph Lloyd Herrmann shall serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brother Martin High School, 4401 Elysian Fields Ave., N.O., LA 70122. Please sign the guestbook at www.schoencanalstreet.com.