Richard Martin Hollier Jr.

1927 - 2024

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Opelousas for Richard Martin Hollier, Jr., ("Dickie"), 96, who passed away on November 6, 2024. Visitation will be observed on Monday, November 11, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church with a recitation of the Rosary at 11:15 a.m. Monsignor Keith Derouen will be the celebrant of the Mass. Survivors include Dickie's beloved wife of 69 years, Claire D'Arensbourg Hollier; his four children, George Louis Hollier (Mary), Dr. Amelie Anne Hollier, Richard Martin Hollier, III (Louise) and James ("Jimmy") D'Arensbourg Hollier (Rene'); his grandchildren, Allison Hollier Meche, William Martin Hollier, Elizabeth Hollier Buvens, Richard Martin Hollier, IV, George Louis Hollier, Mary-Claire Hollier, Michelle Rush and Christopher Rush; and one great-grandchild, Wade Martin Hollier. Dickie was preceded in death by his father, Richard Martin Hollier, Sr., his mother, Gladys Perrault Hollier; and his siblings, Inez Horecky, Bonnie Tilly, Edith Mahfouz, James Hollier, William Charles Hollier and Anne Hollier. Dickie was born, raised and spent the majority of his life in Opelousas. He was a graduate of the Academy of the Immaculate Conception High School and later earned a dual degree in Agronomy and Chemistry from Southwest Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana). He was a proud World War II veteran who served his country as a member of the Manhattan Project, the United States Army's Atomic Weapons Program. Dickie became Director of T.H. Harris Vocational Technical School and retired after 25 years of service. He later ended his retirement to become the Director of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs for the LHC Group shortly after the company was founded. He also served on the LHC Group's Board of Directors and later as Director Emeritus/Special Advisor to the company for over 20 years. An avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, Dickie was deeply passionate about soil, water and hardwoods conservation which was demonstrated by his lifelong commitment of voluntary service to numerous organizations. He served as Chairman of the Atchafalaya Fish and Game Commission, President of the St. Landry Sportsman's League, President of the St. Landry Parish Farm Bureau, and Chairman of the St. Landry Soil and Water Conservation District, a position he held for over 50 years. Dickie was also President of the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts and served numerous terms on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Conservation Districts. He was National President of the American Forestry Association and was also the organization's spokesman for several years. Dickie was also proud to serve his alma mater on the Board of Governors for the University of Louisiana's College of Agriculture and was involved in the establishment of its Wetlands Research Center. In addition to his conservation and agricultural service, Dickie was also a member of the Louisiana Racing Commission, Commander of the Jasper Neyland American Legion Post 209 and Knights of Columbus, President of the Opelousas-St. Landry Chamber of Commerce, the South Louisiana Mid-Winter Fair Board of Directors, President of the Opelousas Sunrise Rotary Club, Chairman of the Opelousas Civil Service Commission and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Washington State Bank. He also served as Parish Council President, Trustee and Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Because of his dedication and voluntary service to these organizations (and many others), Dickie was the recipient of the "Outstanding Conservationist" award presented by the Louisiana Association of Conservation Districts and the "National Conservation Award" from the Woodman of the World. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the St. Landry Parish Farm Bureau and was recognized as Outstanding Alumnus of the University of Louisiana's College of Agriculture. Dickie was also presented with the Annual "Conservation Award" from Gulf Oil Corporation, one of only ten individuals nationwide to receive this honor. He was named "Man of the Year in Service to Louisiana Agriculture" by Progressive Farmer Magazine, "Man of the Year" by the St. Landry Chamber of Commerce and received both the national Freeport Sulphur Conservation Award and the Guy Caire Memorial award for his leadership in soil and water conservation. Dickie, an Eagle Scout, was also the recipient of the Boy Scouts of America Southeast Council's "Distinguished Citizen Award". He also received the Monte M. Lemann award presented by the Louisiana Civil Service League. The Hollier family extends special gratitude to the staff of Hospice of Acadiana and Angie Goins, NP, Beth Adams, Viola Walker, Margo Morton, Linda Jumonville, Nancy Guillory and Gerard Charles for their compassionate and loving care of Dickie during his recent illness. Special thanks is also extended to Curtis Baudoin and Mike Wellborn for providing Holy Eucharist to Dickie in his home. In lieu of flowers, the Hollier family requests that donations can be made to Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston St., Lafayette, LA 70503. Delhomme Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.