Gurnie "Tutie" Joseph Richard, 22, gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country on November 26, 1942. He was born to his late parents, Lester and Louise Daigle Richard on August 27, 1920 in Vinton, Louisiana.
In his High School years, he was a part of the 1935-1936 Football State Championship team at Vinton High School. He had the privilege of playing alongside his brother, Bernie.
Technician, Fifth Grade Gurnie J. Richard, U.S. Army Air Forces, was serving with the 17th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group in the Philippines when the United States entered World War II. With the surrender of U.S. forces in the Philippines in the spring of 1942, Technician, Fifth Grade Richard became a prisoner of the Japanese, marching in the Bataan Death March, and on November 26, 1942 he reportedly died in the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War (POW) Camp #1 on Luzon, Philippine Islands.
Gurnie is survived by his nieces, Joy Singleton Parrott of Youngsville, Louisiana and Jane Anne Richard of Lake Charles, Louisiana; along with numerous great nieces and nephews.
Family that passed following Gurnie were his parents; two siblings, Virgie Richard Singleton and Bernie J. Richard; niece, Mary Dee Richard Nicks; along with his nephew, Don Reese Richard.
A Celebration of Gurnie's life will be held at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home in Sulphur, Louisiana on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 11:00 am, with Deacon Patrick LaPoint, Sr. officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday, from 9:00 am until the time of the service. Burial will be at Big Woods Cemetery in Edgerly, Louisiana.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com.
