Dean Michael "Mike" Richard

Elton-Mass of Christian burial honoring Dean Michael "Mike" Richard, 80, will be held at 11 o'clock a.m. on Wednesday morning, September 17, 2025, at St Paul Catholic Church in Elton. Fr. Jose Vattakunnel will officiate. Mike's family will host a private interment service at a future date.

Mike's family will receive friends and visitors at Ardoin Funeral Home of Elton on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 4-9 o'clock p.m. with Rosary being recited at 6 o'clock p.m. All of Mike's arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Ardoin Funeral Home.

Mike Richard grew up in Elton on numerous rice farms; his father was a sharecropper. He graduated from Hathaway High School in 1962 where he was active in track and clubs. He went to Sowela in Jennings where he studied to be a draftsman. Shortly after graduation in 1963 he visited an Air Force recruiter with a friend, only a couple of weeks before he received his draft notice. The Air Force welcomed him, and he gave 20 years of distinguished service, including in the Vietnam Campaign, before retiring. He started as an avionics technician and progressed to the rank of MSGT and Avionics/Electrics Instructor. Christmas of 1964, he proposed to his girlfriend of almost six years, Bonnie Geer, and they were married in June 1965. They were a strong military family until retirement when they returned to Elton, as promised, to finish raising their kids. When they got engaged. Mike and Bonnie agreed to put God first in their marriage and they celebrated 60 years of life together in 2025. They welcomed their first child in 1968 and, sadly, lost him in 1969. They welcomed their daughter in 1970 and their youngest son in 1976.

After retirement from the Air Force in 1983, Mike worked at Geer's Garage with his Father-in-Law until Boeing opened in Lake Charles. At Boeing, he was an instructor and supervisor, continuing the work he had done in the Air Force. After several company name changes, he retired from Northrup-Grumman in 2003. Mike was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts with his son, Aaron. He was a man of unwavering faith in the Lord and was involved with St. Paul's Catholic Church as a greeter, lecturer, and Eucharistic minister. He was a member of the Sons of St. Paul, the prayer team, and the Catholic Charismatic Movement as well as helping to teach RCIA and baptism classes. Mike felt privileged to attend Cursillo and ACTS and found fulfillment in prison ministry for many years. Mike was an avid motorcycle rider from the time he got his first bike in the early 60's. He and Bonnie used to ride their bikes all over. After his 2nd retirement he joined the Patriot Guard Riders and, later, the Combat Vets Motorcycle Association (CVMA). With the CVMA, he was honored to escort the travelling Vietnam Memorial Wall when it came through the area. Mike loved to fish, and he and Bonnie would take their camper and spend time out at campgrounds to relax and fish. He enjoyed spending time with friends and extended family. He lived his values and was kind and helpful to everyone he came across. He could talk for hours to just about anyone and was often heard whistling throughout the day. In Dec 2019 Mike was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He had surgery and they believed they had gotten it all. The cancer came back in 2021 and had moved to his brain. With the help of his oncologist, Dr. Michael Broussard, Dr. Maze and NP Tammy in radiation oncology, and his PCP Dr. Alex Courville, Mike got a few more good years to spend with his family and friends. Mike passed away peacefully in the early morning of September 9th with Bonnie at his side.

Those left to cherish Mike's memory include his spouse, Sharon "Bonnie" Geer Richard; two sons, Aaron Michael and Laci Richard of Lake Charles, LA and Charlie Holt of Natchitoches, LA; Daughter, Kimberly Joel "Kimmi Jo" Richard of Broomfield, CO; one Goddaughter, Margaret and Mike Guillory of Elton, LA; four grandchildren, Ryan Pantos, Gwendolyn Richard, Micheal Holt, and Hunter Young; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Cleve and Evanna Richard; one son, Shannon Mark Richard; two brothers, James Wylie and Charles Wayne Richard; and one sister, Edrie "Sis" Guillory.

The family would like to thank his doctors and the staff of the Lake Charles Memorial infusion center for their caring and compassionate work with us. We would also like to thank everyone who has helped us in the last 6 years and who offered prayers for Mike and the family. Please know all of you are in our hearts. A very special thanks to Glen, Hunner, and Tristan at Elton Auto and Farm Supply, the ladies (and Libby's sons) at OK Tax Service, and Mike Ortego for their invaluable help that enabled Mike to stay at home as long as possible.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with Mike's family at www.ardoinfuneralhome.com or on Facebook at Ardoin/Allen Parish Funeral Homes.

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