Joseph Raymond “Ray” LaGrappe, 88, of Southeast Texas, died Thursday, August 6, 2015, at the Medical Center of McKinney. He was born on September 2, 1926, to Alta Marie Guidry and Dallas LaGrappe, in Port Arthur, and was a United States Navy veteran having served in World War II and the Korean War. Ray worked for Texaco as a zone supervisor for thirty-six years. He loved all types of dance but was an avid ballroom and round dancer often traveling with the Dogwood Round Dancers. Ray was also an outstanding gumbo cook and when he wasn’t woodworking he enjoyed being out on the boat fishing and waterskiing. He also devoted many hours volunteering for the Ivanhoe Men’s Club, the Ivanhoe Volunteer Fire Department, and Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, earning him awards for his outstanding community service. He was gentle, honorable, faithful, and an upstanding knowledgeable man who taught his children honesty and work ethic.
Survivors include his daughters, Claudie Green and her husband, Barry, of Longview and Dewesa Bensmiller and her husband, Scott, of Lucas; grandchildren, Stacey Brownlee and her husband, Kevin, of Longview; and Todd Bensmiller, Jason Bensmiller, and Audrey Bensmiller, all of Lucas; great-grandchildren, Colton Brownlee, Beaux Brownlee, and Sloane Brownlee; and brothers, Calvin LaGrappe and his wife, Georgeann, of Beaumont and Jimmy LaGrappe and his wife, Gayla, of Atascocita.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife of forty seven years, Willie Earnestine LaGrappe; and four brothers, Dallas, Jr., Earl, Andrew, and Harvey LaGrappe.
A Christian Vigil for Mr. LaGrappe will begin at 6:00 p.m. with a gathering to follow until 8:00 p.m., Monday, August 10, 2015, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 11, 2015, at Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 1601 Pine Street, Woodville. His interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Woodville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, P.O. Box 2029, Woodville, Texas 75979-2029.
