Thomas Arnoult Rayer

1934 - 2023

Thomas Arnoult Rayer, age 89, passed away on September 20, 2023. He was born in Kankakee, Illinois on January 5, 1934 to the late Kenneth Nichols Rayer and Jeanne Arnoult Rayer and moved to New Orleans as a child. He is survived by his children, Kenneth Nicholls Rayer, Christopher Martin Rayer (Dena), Jeanne Rayer Shannon, Thomas Arnoult Rayer, Jr., and Alice Andry Rayer; his grandchildren, Alexander Thomas Rayer, Christopher Taylor Rayer, Robert Martin Rayer (Eboni), Eric Nicholls Rayer (Kacie), John Mason Rayer (Christina), Tustin Thomas Shannon, Andrew Bennett Rayer, and Jamie Anne Shannon; and his great grandson, Henry Michael Rayer. He is predeceased by his wife, Alice Nicholls Rayer, his grandson, Michael Patrick Rayer, and his son in law, James Patrick Shannon. Thomas was a graduate of Jesuit High School, Loyola University (BA), and Loyola University School of Law (JD). At Loyola, he was President of the Student Council, President of Beggars Fraternity, and Sports Editor of the university paper. After graduating from law school, he worked for the law firm of Denechaud and Denechaud where he remained for 37 years until he retired. He was a member of the American, Louisiana, and New Orleans Bar Associations, as well as the Bar of the United States Supreme Court. During his career, Thomas was a founding member of the National Association of Catholic Diocesan Attorneys and served on its board as Representative of Diocesan Lawyers for Southeastern United States. He was a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, the St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers’ Association, and the Press Club of New Orleans. He was also counsel to the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Louisiana Constitutional Convention of 1973, and special counsel to Attorney General William Smith on matters regarding state universities and colleges. Thomas enjoyed many years of boating, fishing, camping, and other outdoor sports. He was a Boy Scout Master, Little League coach, and was a member of several Carnival organizations and the Bienville Club. He was also active in church activities in New Orleans and Pass Christian, Mississippi, and was awarded the Papal Order of Saint Gregory the Great. The family expresses special gratitude to the staff and residents of Our Lady of Wisdom, Chateau de Notre Dame, and the extraordinary caregivers that have assisted him over the years. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, on Friday, September 29, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 11:30am. Interment will follow at Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Thomas’s memory to Catholic Charities, www.ccano.org.