The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Raymond Edward “Sonny” Marcantel, age 82, of Orange, started his new life with Jesus on the morning of Wednesday, July 24.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Bertha Isabel Marcentel, and his siblings Ira Verne Robinson, Milton Eugene Marcantel, and Georgia Danita Boyd.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Neysa Cain Marcantel; daughters Laurie Marcantel of Orange, and Lynda Kennepp, and her husband, Kelly Kennepp of Conway, Ar; grandchildren, Stratten Swanner, and his wife, Diana Swanner, of Mobile, Al., and Kelyn Kennepp of Conway; brother Larry Arlen Marcantel; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Sonny was born on March 15, 1931 in DeQuincy. He graduated in 1948 from DeQuincy High School and attended Texas A&M University and Louisiana State University. He began working at the age of five years delivering laundry to soldiers camped near DeQuincy. When he was nine years old, he was employed at the local Ford Dealership cleaning and sweeping before and after school each day.

During WWII, at the age of 12 years, Sonny was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Following his high school graduation, he later employed as bookkeeper at Phelan Company, Service Plumbing, and the Ford dealership. He was later employed at Sears, in Orange, only to return to work as a consultant for DuPont in LaPorte. In the last few years he was honored to be a board member of the Truth Apostolic Church in Sulphur.

Sonny was a founding member of the DeQuincy Lion’s Club and a member of the Louisiana National Guard, receiving an honorable discharge in 1957.

Those who loved Sonny knew him for his humor, as an avid hunter, storyteller and artist; and as someone who never met a stranger, and was always willing to help anyone in need.

He was tech savvy and took pride in learning to use new, computer based technology.

He made many happy memories while camping and traveling with his family and enjoyed being a loving husband, father and grandfather.

He will be remembered as living a life of honesty, integrity, optimism and faith in God.

His family was blessed to have him as husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.

Others were blessed to call him a friend.

He will be missed family members and friends.

He would never want to tell us goodbye, but would rather say he will see us later in paradise.

Visitation will be Friday, from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm, and resume Saturday at 1:00 pm until service time at The Pentecostal Church of DeQuincy. A Celebration of Life will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 27, at The Pentecostal Church of DeQuincy. Interment will be in Masonic Cemetery.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Maria Palafox; the physicians and staff at the Previty Clinic, and Hermann Memorial Baptist Hospital in Orange; and the nurses at Harbor Home Health Care for their support, love, and care.

In lieu of flowers the family wishes donations be made to the charity of your choice.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life. “

John 10: 27&28