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Rayne - It is with heavy, yet peaceful hearts that we announce the passing of Russell Paul Meche of Rayne, 83 years young, on Aug. 16, 2024.
He was the beloved husband of JoAnn Sonnier Meche; adoring father to Michele Meche Veillon (Mark), Jeff Meche (Cherelle), Angie Meche Kilcullen (Dennis), and Jerrod Meche (Mary); and doting grandfather to 12 grandchildren, Hannah, Sam (Marlo), Jack (Madicyn, fiancée), Will (& Lainey), Max, Ethan, Aubrey (& Ky), Preslie, Abigail (& Cole), Emma, Ian and Sean.
He was an only child born in Church Point to Helen and Anech Meche. After high school he joined the Marine Corps (without consulting his parents, of course), where he served for four years while becoming an air traffic controller.
The Marine Corps is also where he developed his greatest passion in life, flying airplanes. He went on to become a private pilot and air traffic controller at Lafayette Regional Airport where he worked for 14 years while, simultaneously, owning a couple of businesses in Rayne with his father, Anech.
He wore many hats and accomplished so much in his 83 years. From coaching Little League baseball to being Grand Knight in Knights of Columbus. He was president of the Notre Dame Athletic Booster Club, councilman-at-large and Mayor Pro Tem, member of the Civil Air Patrol, member of the YMBC and American Legion and a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, among so many other things.
And he was still operating his own business, right up until he fell ill a few months ago. (Although, he was only open between the hours of noon and 2 p.m. — and only after his nap!)
Russell and JoAnn just celebrated 63 beautiful years of marriage. She doted on him from Day 1 and, when they were at home alone, he followed her around like a little puppy, always wanting to be near her. They were still laughing and having fun together, like newlyweds, up until the very last minute!
Right behind the love that he held for his family, was the love that he held for his friends.
For the last 45 years, you could find him every morning with a group of his friends, enjoying coffee at their favorite spot in town, and on Friday afternoons you could find them at the local watering hole, sharing a beer or two (or five), along with lots of laughter, recycling old stories over and over again, and joking around with each other.
His philosophy was that if something couldn’t be fixed with a zip tie, duct tape or WD-40, he wanted nothing to do with it. And he only needed two channels on the TV — Fox News and Westerns. Old Westerns. All day. Every day.
He was known as Mr. Russell, though many people knew him as the infamous “Flustered Russell,” but we knew him as Russ, Dad, Daddy, Poppi and Pops (and occasionally as Russell Paul if Mom was fussing at him). He lived life to the fullest extent every day and did not do anything halfway! He set a great example for everyone he knew by living his best life and doing his favorite things with the people he loved. He loved hard and he was loved hard!!
We have no doubt that he’s up there with Jesus right now, entertaining Him with a few Boudreaux and Thibodeaux jokes and asking “what time is coffee in the morning?” and “where’s the remote?”
We love you Poppi and we will be toasting you every Friday afternoon (and more) for the rest of our lives.
Special thanks go to his angel caregiver, Faye Babineaux, who helped make his days and nights through these last few weeks more comfortable.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Aug. 22, at a 1:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne.
Burial will be in the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Jennings at a later date.
Father Connor Poirrier, parochial vicar of St. Joseph Catholic Church, will be the celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. He will be assisted by Deacon Denis LaCroix, who will give the homily.
Pallbearers will be Sam Veillon, Jack Veillon, Will Veillon, Max Veillon, Ethan Meche, Ian Kilcullen and Sean Kilcullen.
A Rosary will be prayed Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne.
The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home on Wednesday, Aug. 21, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on Thursday, Aug. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc., of Rayne, 337-334-3141.