Richard passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at the age of 92. He was the last surviving relative of his generation of aunts and uncles of the Adam Dugas Family. He was born January 24, 1930, in Phoenix, Arizona, the son of Richard and Ramah DeMund Ellis. Following his service with the U.S. Air Force, in 1954 Richard relocated to Baton Rouge, LA with employment in his career field of Drafting. He worked in several local company plants such as Exxon designing pipe systems.
Richard was a quiet, gentle, caring man of impeccable character who enjoyed fine wines. Having grown up in the American Southwest, once in Louisiana he soon embraced the life of a Southern Gentlemen facing Louisiana Culture and Cuisine. He met Aline Marie Dugas at Arthur Murray Dance Studios and was smitten by this beautiful Acadian girl from one of the original Acadian Families of Louisiana. He married her November 12, 1960, and they celebrated 58 wonderful years together. Hobbies he and Aline enjoyed together included both teaching and performing Ballroom Dancing with Arthur Murray Dance Studios and training for the competitions and travel experiences they chose like exploring the Grand Canyon and traveling in Alaska. Richard competed nationally in the Senior Olympics and won many medals for his performances in Cycling and Long-Distance Running. He continued to enjoy Cycling until he was 81 years old. He also enjoyed hobbies such as Beekeeping and Photography and became our “Family Photographer” assuring everyone could be seen in the pictures.
Though not blessed with children of his own, he “adopted” the many nieces and nephews and extended families and readily shared their lives. He is survived by his nieces Margo Raiford Murphy, Lynn Tolusso Laurence, Mary Tolusso Favalora, Claudette Dugas Bruner, Sheilah Dugas Coates, Susan Gray, Tonya Naron, and Terri Blackwell. Richard was preceded in death by his wife Aline Dugas Ellis, parents Richard Ellis and Ramah DeMund Ellis, and brother Franklin (Lynn) Ellis.
Visitation will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 Marquette Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA from 9:00 – 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, before Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am. Final Interment will follow at Green Oaks Memorial Graveyard at 9607 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, LA. Pallbearers: Charles E. Wyble, Jr., Dylan Walker, Dalton Walker, Gary Coates, Jr., Joshua Bruner, and Matthew Downey.
Special thanks to Fr. Cleo Milano, Deacon Richard Grant, Dr. Hector Mena, Dr. Harold Helmke, Dr. Rebecca Whiddon, Darla Burnett, and the Staff of Cardinal Hospice. His family would also like to express their love and appreciation to Margo and Courtney Murphy for their commitment to his care, Great-niece Penny Wyble Mileski’s guiding medical help, Great-nephew Charles E. Wyble, Jr. Caregiver, Laurie Walker, Eucharistic Minister Sheryl Womack and Caregivers Rebecca Peiera, Angel Guidry, Shondell Gaines, and Brenda Bates.
Share sympathies, condolences and memories at www.greenoaksfunerals.com.
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