Lawrence Guidroz
Arnaudville – Funeral services were held on Friday, December 27, 2019, at an 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Francis Regis Catholic Church for Lawrence Guidroz, 75.
Interment was in St. Francis Regis Cemetery in Arnaudville. The Rev. Gary Schexnayder officiated at the services.
Musical selections were provided by Emily Ortego. The songs were How Great Thou Art, Psalm 23, Be Not Afraid, I Can Only Imagine and Amazing Grace.
On Sunday, December 22, 2019, after enjoying one of his favorite lifelong hobbies, hunting, a most selfless, easy-going, and dependable father and husband, Lawrence Guidroz, 75, was called home to spend eternity with Our Lord. Born on July 13, 1944, to the late Clebert and Velma Taylor Guidroz, he spent his entire life residing as a proud, supportive native-son in Arnaudville, La. There, he and his adoring wife of 55 years, Janelle Knott Guidroz, enjoyed life to the fullest with their sons, Lance and Kevin, and daughter-in-law, Sheila, especially after his retirement in 2011 from Kirby Inland Marine.
While working for 43 years at Kirby, Lawrence retired as an accomplished Towboat Captain of the Inland Waterways of the United States. Additionally, he found joy in his many civic fellowships which included being a member of the St. Francis Regis Altar Society, the Little Flower K.C. Council 3621, Woodmen of the World, the Nonco Foundation, and the Board of Directors for the Nunu Arts and Culture Collective. These memberships allowed him to continue his faithful life of service as he was able to not only participate as an usher on Sundays for his church, but also to promote his passion for his French heritage by becoming one of the Legacy Investors in the Saint LUC French Immersion and Cultural Campus.
Along with his public servitude, Lawrence, “The Original Loveable,” “Doc,” “Chief,” will be remembered by all who loved him as a one who mentored and supported his family and friends throughout his life. His hobbies included gardening, woodworking, welding, driving his tractors, going to the casino, and baling hay with Jon Paul Richard and his brother-in-law, George Arnaud.
He was an avid fan of wrestling and loved listening to French music. He also enjoyed spending time with his extended family and friends at NuNu’s, a place that was near and dear to his heart. His family will forever be grateful to his “Wild Bunch Hunting Club,” who were with him in his final moments. Through his death, Lawrence was still able to give, as he was in life, through being an organ donor.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clebert and the former Velma Taylor Guidroz; his brother, Earl Guidroz; ans his sisters, Barbara Lejeune, Eula “Nookie” Bellard and Florina Smith.
Additionally, preceded by his maternal grandparents, Adelma and Ocatavie Dugas Taylor; paternal grandparents, Verzule and Idale Bergeron Guidroz; brothers-in-law, John Allen Deville and Shelton Bellard; and his wife’s parents, Darius and Lucille T. Knott
His survivors included his wife, Janelle Knott Guidroz, his sons, Kevin J. and wife Sheila, and Lance Guidroz; his sisters, Laurie Deville and Susie Blanchard; his brothers, Ronald, Donald, C.J. (Linda), Louis (Christine) and Dicky (Janet) Guidroz; and numerous nieces and nephews who all adored him.
A rosary was prayed at 7 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home by George Arnaud and Knights of Columbus.
The family requested that visiting hours be observed from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday and continued from 8 a.m. until service time on Friday.
Pallbearers were Lance, Kevin and Ronald Guidroz, Chase Richard, George Arnaud, Shane Devillier, Lonnie Arnaud and Charles Hemmeline.
Honorary pallbearers were Elridge Marks Jr., Jason Marks, George Marks, Donald, C.J. and Louis Guidroz, Russell Knott Sr., Joseph Lee “Bib” Arnaud, Dickey Guidroz, Larry Bourque and Jean Gaye.
Mass readers were Trené Hotard and Sheila Guidroz and gift bearers were Erilda Arnaud, Lisa Frugé and Bridget Hemmeline.
Melancon Funeral Home of Arnaudville, 224 Main Street, (337-754-572) was in charge of arrangements.