Richard Antoine Firmin Sr.

Richard A. Firmin Sr., 70, a 26-year U.S. Military Veteran and native of Franklin Louisiana, passed away on Monday July 31, 2017, after a long struggle with multiple health issues. Richard was a proud member of the U.S. Marine Corps serving multiple deployments during the Vietnam War, doing double duty as a Gunnery Sergeant and a high skilled technician repairing shot-up helicopter's that were damaged during combat missions. He later transferred to the Air Force where until his retirement he used his technical skills with the team that kept the F-15 Tactical Defense fighter aircraft on 24-hour readiness at the Belle Chasse Naval Air Station. He was a highly decorated soldier, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant, receiving multiple honors including the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy/Marine President Citation, National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Air Force Achievement Medal. Dickie, as he is fondly known by family and childhood friends, is survived by his mother Mrs. Velta Rogers Firmin of Franklin, his brothers Johnny Firmin of Franklin, and Jim Firmin and his wife Yanming of Morgan City; four children, Debbie Siravo and her husband Jerry of Erie, Colorado, Richard Firmin Jr., of Fort Worth, Texas, Regina Firmin of Morgan City, and Tanya Firmin of Gretna. He is also survived by his grandchildren Olivia Sanchez, Sarah Sanchez, Kristin Voisan, Michael Voisan, Austin Firmin, Haley Firmin, Richard Firmin III; and great-grandchild Brook Vining. In addition, he is remembered by his extended family of Jose Zaeton of Puerto Rica and Kristen Firmin of Fort Worth; and his friends, Big Joe Casey who was like a watchful brother to him, and Miranda who in recent time drove him to the places he needed to be, the both of them helping him to navigate the recent tumultuous seas of his health challenges. Dickie was preceded in death by his father, Lee C Firmin, Le Cajun Avec La Cravat Rouge. Funeral series will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday August 7, 2017, at Ibert's Funeral Home in Franklin, with visitation being held from 11:00 a.m. that morning until the time of the service. Entombment with Military Honors will take place in the Franklin Cemetery following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made to the Semper Fi Fund/Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102 PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057, https://semperfifund.org/donate/. Family and friends may view the obituary and express their condolences online by visiting www.iberts.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert's Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.