Ronnie Matthew LeMaire

Ronnie Matthew LeMaire, 87, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2023 in a local hospital. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Eunice. A gathering will be held prior to mass beginning at 12:00 p.m. Committal services will immediately follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Eunice, LA. On Thursday, April 27, 2023, family and friends are invited to attend visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.; with a Rosary to begin at 6:00 p.m. recited by the Knights of Columbus at Matthews and Son Funeral Home in Gueydan, LA. Ronnie had an unwavering conviction to serve Christ lived his life true to his faith, to the best of his ability. He felt called to the Church from a very young age. He began his studies in 1949 he completed studies at a Monastery boarding school in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi before returning to Louisiana to attend the Immaculate Monastery in Lafayette. He then went on to attend Sons of Sacred Heart Seminary College in Michigan, where he became fluent in both French and Latin during his studies. In 1952 He joined the Trappist Monastery in Huntsville, Utah where he lived by the three major rules of St. Benedict, Stability, Fidelity to the monastic life, and obedience. However, as he was approaching young adulthood he realized God’s mission in his life led him to depart from the Trappist Monastery to enlist in the United States Marine Corp, following the example from his two brothers. By age 17 he enrolled in music school in San Diego, CA and excelled in learning the trumpet, and became a member of the well celebrated Marine Corp Band located at Pearl Harbor where he remained for 29 months. Among many other notable honorable distinctions, he was selected to play for the CIN Pac Fleet – which afforded him the opportunity to honor his fallen comrade soldiers by playing Taps in funeral ceremonies at the Punch Bowel in the Pacific Islands in Oahu, Hawaii. After returning from his military service in 1958, Ronnie worked a short time in Lake Tahoe and met Harriet Cormier, and they were married on September 18, 1958. Together they had two daughters and in 1969 after briefly working in the oilfield he became a bus driver for Vermillion Parish School Board, which he revered as one of his most rewarding, albeit sometimes harsh, positions. After losing his wife to breast cancer, he again decided to dedicate his life to God and renounced his worldly possessions to join the Benedictine monastery in Opelousas to become an Oblate. After two devoted years, he fatefully walked into the Tri-Parish Bank, where he reconnected with Carrie Langley, an old long lost friend. They were soon after married at the monastery. Together they flourished and enjoyed many happy years together. Ronnie joined the Eunice Symphony Orchestra and was asked to play a Solo which earned him a roaring standing ovation a proud moment he would come to fondly cherish. Although he had an extraordinary life, he remained humble and in his spare time enjoyed fishing, taking care of his yard, tending to his beautiful vegetable garden, and listening to French music. He was a talented artist. Mr. LeMaire was a true modern day theologian, blessed with many talents, and developed a signature, remarkable life to call his own. He was a sharp and intriguing story-teller, with a way of evoking those “butterfly feelings’’ making those close to him aware of beautiful perspectives on life, love, and spirituality. He will be deeply missed by his loved ones. Ronnie is survived by his wife, Carrie K. LeMaire of Eunice; his granddaughter Brooke ( Jason) Champagne; great grandchildren Matthew and Joseph Marceaux; stepdaughters Charlotte Fox and husband Shawn Cindy Langley; stepson Trey Langley and wife, Sheree; step grandchildren Carrie Soileau and Brett Soileau; Jonathan Fox, Payton Fox, Elizabeth Fox; Shelton Langley, Tayte Langley; step great grandson Everen Soileau. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Harriett LeMaire and their two daughters, Lydia Henry and Rhonda LeMaire.

Ronnie Matthew LeMaire

September 20, 1935 - April 22, 2023

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

Ronnie Matthew LeMaire

September 20, 1935 - April 22, 2023

Obituary Notification

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information