Raymond R. "Mona" Beadle Sr.

Raymond R. “Mona” Beadle Sr. born December 2, 1925 passed away on December 6, 2012 at the age of 87 at his home in Morgan City surrounded by his loving family. Many friends knew him as “Poppa Beadle” or “MB”. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him and whose lives were made better by knowing this great man of kindness, thoughtfulness and faithfulness.

He was predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Louise Simoneaux Beadle, his 3 brothers Irwin (Shine), Clarence (Sing), and Arthur Gerald, sister Gladys Vining, son, Sheen Paul Beadle, and grandson, Thomas Leo Beadle.

Mona has been an usher at Holy Cross Catholic Church for over 45 years and for 50 years has been a Third Degree member of the Knights of Columbus in Morgan City. He was also a member for over 50 years as a 4th Degree Knight of Monsignor J.J. Rousseau General Assembly K.C.’s. He had been a retreat captain for many years at the Grand Coteau Retreatant. He was a member of the Electrical Licensing Board of Morgan City, a member and Chairman of the M.C. Board of Adjustments Group and belonged to the local American Legion Post #96.

Mona belonged to the VFW, was a past member and president of the Morgan City Jaycees; a previous member of the M.C. Volunteer Fire Department, as well as the Kiwanis Club. He was a troop leader for Boy Scouts of America and made many camp outs at Camp Thistlewaite with the scouts in the summer months. He was a past member of the Twin City Fishing Club as well as the Atchafalaya Sportsman Club, where he served as an officer. He was a member and officer of the American Power Boat Association and a member of the Lake Palourde Recreation and Development Commission in 1958 along with the famous Siracusa racing family and the late “great racer” Dr. C.R. Brownell Jr.

Mona received several awards, one which came from Bishop Warren Boudreaux in April 1992, when he received the Outstanding Service Award for his work with the church. He also was recognized by CCHS in 1993 for his 10 years of service to the Catholic school. In 1983 he received a 15-year service award “for chain-gang work” for MCHS football.

Mona was a great bowler of the past 65 years and bowling was his most enjoyable hobby. He was inducted into the M.C. Men’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame in May of 1991 and M.C. Co-Champ of the Men’s League.

Mona started serving his country as a member of the U.S. Marines in 1944. Mona could recall with detail fighting on Iwo Jima, where he was wounded in action, in March 1945, for which he received the Purple Heart medal and was honorably discharged in February 1946. He was dedicated to the U.S.M.C.-Semper Fi.

He has worked for Humble Oil, DuPont Fabricators, and J. Ray McDermott. He later started Beadles Electric Inc. and also worked as a full time employee for the Price’s Allen’s TV Cable.

He leaves behind his beloved and loyal wife of 65 years, “Mama Jane” Fangue Beadle; sister, Gertrude Nini of Bayou Vista; children, Raymond R. Beadle Jr and wife Gloria Corrales of Bayou Vista, Gary A. Beadle and Mary Jo Laughlin of Bayou Vista, Janie C. Beadle and husband Daniel L. Boudreaux, Julie L. Beadle and husband Mark W. Gowan of Bayou Vista, Leo J. Beadle and wife Rena Magbee of Houston, Texas; 15 grandchildren: Lynette Boudreaux and husband Jeffrey Pennison, Chantelle Boudreaux and husband Alex Sarria, Mark E. Gowan and wife Brandy, Renee Beadle Hartley, Malachi Boudreaux, Mary Catherine Beadle, Gabriel Beadle and wife Jessica, Gary Anthony Beadle Jr., Claire Beadle, Jonathan Beadle, David Beadle, Christopher Beadle, Jeremy Beadle, and Michael Beadle, and 10 great-children: Micah Gowan, Jordan Hartley, Abram Hartley, Gabrielle Gowan, Brooklyn Gowan, Jolie Boudreaux, London Gowan, Parris-Nicole Pennison, Lux and Wyatt Beadle; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A time of remembrance and reflection will be observed Monday December 10, 2012 from 6 pm until 9 pm at Hargrave Funeral Home continuing Tuesday December 11, 2012 at 9 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Graveside services will be conducted by The East St. Mary Funeral Squad. Mona will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Mausoleum.