Gene Francis Rachal

With full hearts and deep gratitude for his life, the family announces memorial services to be held Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 11:00 am at Walters Funeral Home for Eugene Francis "Gene" Rachal, who passed from this world and into the embrace of Love on March 12, 2025.

He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather—steadfast, generous, and kind. He had a wit that could light up a room, a million stories and jokes ready to tell, and a sharp mind that never stopped working. If something was broken, Gene could fix it. If something didn’t exist, he’d build it. Buildings, cypress furniture, boats, a garden full of vegetables—he did it all with his own hands, and if there was electrical work or plumbing involved, he’d figure that out, too. If you were lucky, he might just offer you a sip of the whiskey he made himself.

His life was full of hard work, ingenuity, and craftsmanship. Along the way, he loved to share laughter, meals, and good times with those around him. He was a fabulous cook, a duck hunter, a fisherman, and a golfer. And when the ULL Lady Cajuns softball team took to the field, he and his wife Anne were there—home or away, cheering them on, game after game. He loved his children and grandchildren, whose laughter and playfulness brought him particular joy. His presence shaped the lives of many, and he will be remembered in countless ways by those who knew him.

Gene is survived by his wife, Anne; his four children, Scott (Stacy) Rachal of Lafayette, Traci (Manton) Reece of Austin, TX, Owen (Leigh) Rachal of Lafayette, and Georgia (Jarryd) Crowell of Lafayette; thirteen grandchildren, Alexandra, Meredith, and Julian Reece; Nathaniel, Emma, Noah, Harper, and Aidee Rachal; Jackson Kastner; Luna, Gabriel, Auri, and Raphael Crowell; his five siblings, Tonette Ducote of Mandeville, Yvonne Anderson of Carencro, Kathleen Bonin of Carencro, Odell Rachal of Huntsville, TX, and Manny Rachal of Livingston, TX; and his first wife, Constance Maillet, mother of Scott and Traci.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Odell and Emmanualine Rachal.

We are holding close the love he gave, the wisdom he shared, and the stories that will always be a part of us.

We are grieving, but we do not grieve alone. If you knew and loved Gene, we would be grateful for your prayers, your memories, and your presence with us in this moment.

Love holds us all—those who have gone before, those who remain, and those who will follow.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Visitation will begin at 9:00 am on Saturday morning, with a rosary prayed at 9:15 am. After the services, all are invited to a reception honoring his life at First Presbyterian Church, 1130 Johnston St, Lafayette, LA 70501. The family asks that memorial contributions be made in memory of Gene to First Presbyterian Church at the address above.

Online condolences may be made to the family by scrolling to the guest book below.

Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N. University Ave., Lafayette, LA 70507; 337-706-8941 is in charge of arrangements.