Kevin Rayes Obituary
Visit the Garden of Memories Funeral Home & Cemetery - Metairie website to view the full obituary.
Kevin Michael Rayes, age 43, passed away on January 16, 2026. He was born on June 1, 1982, in Kenner, Louisiana, and was a longtime resident of Chalmette, Louisiana.
Kevin attended St. Mary Magdalen and Our Lady of Divine Providence, and graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School, Class of 2000. He later trained at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University.
Kevin dedicated over 20 years of service to Southern Recycling / EMR, where he was known for his strong work ethic and dedication. He was a proud member of the Bear Creek Hunting Club and Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, traveling, watching movies, and most of all entertaining family and friends. He will be remembered for his generosity, loyalty, and love for those closest to him.
Kevin is survived by his devoted wife of six years, Jill Lotz Rayes; his beloved daughter, Joelle Zengarling; his parents, Clarence "Rance" Rayes and Karen Bertoniere Rayes; his brother, Steven Rayes (Rachael); and his sister-in-law, Julie Bell (Jeff).
He was a loving uncle to Wyatt and Sawyer Rayes, as well as Jeffrey and Jacob Bell. Kevin also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins including Bobby Bertoniere (Susan), Mike Bertoniere, Donna Engolia (Stan), Jerry Rayes (Jerri Lynn), M.J. Fontenot (Marsha), Valerie Randazzo (Santo and Jeannette), Kenny Fontenot (Pam), Jeffrey Bertoniere, Brittany Bertoniere, Kelly Engolia Hartdegen, Katie Engolia, Ian Rayes, Brienne Rayes DeHarde, Monty Fontenot, Nicole Fontenot, Paul Fontenot, Tara Randazzo, Janel Randazzo, Tia Randazzo, Stephanie Fontenot, Joey Fontenot, and Christina Burleigh.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence Rayes, Althea Rayes, and Warren Bertoniere. Kevin is also survived by his grandmother, Louise Cain (Richard), and his great uncles, Jeremy Powers and Daniel Powers.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Kevin's memorial services on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, located at 6425 West Metairie Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana 70003. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., followed by Mass at 12:00 p.m.
Interment will follow mass at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie, Louisiana 70001.
A reception will be held after services at the Kenner Lions Club, located at 2001 18th Street, Kenner, Louisiana 70062.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kevin's memory to https://pages.lls.org/ltn/msla/NOrleans26/inmemoryofkevinrayes
Kevin attended St. Mary Magdalen and Our Lady of Divine Providence, and graduated from Archbishop Rummel High School, Class of 2000. He later trained at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at Nicholls State University.
Kevin dedicated over 20 years of service to Southern Recycling / EMR, where he was known for his strong work ethic and dedication. He was a proud member of the Bear Creek Hunting Club and Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cooking, traveling, watching movies, and most of all entertaining family and friends. He will be remembered for his generosity, loyalty, and love for those closest to him.
Kevin is survived by his devoted wife of six years, Jill Lotz Rayes; his beloved daughter, Joelle Zengarling; his parents, Clarence "Rance" Rayes and Karen Bertoniere Rayes; his brother, Steven Rayes (Rachael); and his sister-in-law, Julie Bell (Jeff).
He was a loving uncle to Wyatt and Sawyer Rayes, as well as Jeffrey and Jacob Bell. Kevin also leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins including Bobby Bertoniere (Susan), Mike Bertoniere, Donna Engolia (Stan), Jerry Rayes (Jerri Lynn), M.J. Fontenot (Marsha), Valerie Randazzo (Santo and Jeannette), Kenny Fontenot (Pam), Jeffrey Bertoniere, Brittany Bertoniere, Kelly Engolia Hartdegen, Katie Engolia, Ian Rayes, Brienne Rayes DeHarde, Monty Fontenot, Nicole Fontenot, Paul Fontenot, Tara Randazzo, Janel Randazzo, Tia Randazzo, Stephanie Fontenot, Joey Fontenot, and Christina Burleigh.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clarence Rayes, Althea Rayes, and Warren Bertoniere. Kevin is also survived by his grandmother, Louise Cain (Richard), and his great uncles, Jeremy Powers and Daniel Powers.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Kevin's memorial services on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, located at 6425 West Metairie Avenue, Metairie, Louisiana 70003. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., followed by Mass at 12:00 p.m.
Interment will follow mass at Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive, Metairie, Louisiana 70001.
A reception will be held after services at the Kenner Lions Club, located at 2001 18th Street, Kenner, Louisiana 70062.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kevin's memory to https://pages.lls.org/ltn/msla/NOrleans26/inmemoryofkevinrayes
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