Vernice Joseph “Bon Rein” Hargrave
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 1 p.m. for Vernice Joseph “Bon Rein” Hargrave who passed away on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2015, in Crowley at the age of 90.
Fr. Gary Schexnayder, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, will officiate for the services. The family requests visiting hours Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
A rosary will be recited Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Lyons Point.
Vernice, a lifelong resident of the Crowley area, was the son of the late John Hargrave and the former Sarah Broussard.
He was an exceptional man and lived an extraordinary life, known by his family and friends as “Bon Rein”.
He was a faithful husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved to cook and “pass a good time” with family and friends.
He was a hard worker, serving the Acadiana area as manager of the Empire Gas Company for over 50 years overseeing their propane operation. When he set his mind on something, there was nothing he could not accomplish.
He started his cooking “career” when he was in the U.S. Navy during World War II serving in the Aleutian Islands from 1943 to 1946. Vernice figured out very quickly that the best place to be in this very cold place was in the kitchen. Thus began his journey of over 70+ years, which has allowed him to serve thousands with his authentic Cajun cuisine.
This journey was fulfilled in his over 50 years as a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council 5499, and his over 60 years as a longtime, dedicated member of the American Legion Post 15 both in Crowley, as well as the Veterans of Foreign where he served as Commander from 1990-1992.
Vernice was a historic, southern gentleman and a Crowley legend. He was largely known for his volunteer efforts, such as the Redemptorist Catholic School Board, the Crowley Soup Kitchen, and the Knights of Columbus, VFW and American Legion (known in his private circle as “The Jambalaya King”), as well as “The Bingo Man” for Redemptorist Catholic School and Knights of Columbus Council 5499.
His hobbies included farming, dancing and going to the French Table.
He is survived by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his son, Calvin Hargrave and wife Sheila of Longview, Texas, and their children Cory of Dallas, Texas, Erik and wife Sarah of Dallas, Texas; and Kelli Smolarz and husband Ryan, and their son, Asher from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; his daughter, Carolyn Ward and husband Gerry, of Carencro and their children Nicholas Barber and wife Jennifer, and their children Nicholas II, Braxton and Graham; Marcus Ward and wife Heather, and their children, Anjuli Kerlin and Evelyn; Melissa Winder and husband Aaron, and their son, Wyle; and Morgan; and his daughter Marlene Robin and husband Tony, of Lafayette, and their children Joshua Kibodeaux and wife Chalasie, and their children Alaziah, Tallan and Vivianna; Brooke Falgout and husband Trey with newborn baby on the way; Brittany Robin and fiancé Michael Bearb; and Haley Robin and her children Adaleigh and Paxton.
He is also survived by two sisters, Mandy Rose Simon from Winnie, Texas, and Cecilia Jones and husband Glen; and a brother, August Hargrave and wife Louise; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A special debt of gratitude is extended to Stephanie Breaux, who cared for Vernice over the last four and a half years, as well as many thanks to the caregivers with Evangeline Home Health, Nursing Specialties, Sr. Helpers and Family Choice Care Hospice.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife, Ida Duhon Hargrave; father-in-law, Turbert Duhon; mother-in-law, Zulma Duhon; his brother, Wallace Hargrave; his sister, Ina Marie Miller; and two nephews, Stanley Miller and Glenn Simon.
Pallbearers will be Nicholas Barber, Joshua Kibodeaux, Erik Hargrave, Trey Falgout, Tony Robin and Kenneth Hebert.
Honorary pallbearers will be Nujay Guidry, Daniel Richard, Lawrence Adams, David Guillotte, Roland Faulk, Emery Thibodeaux and Paul Thibodeaux.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 North Avenue F, Crowley, LA 70526, 337-783-3313.