Rayne- A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Rufus Arabie, 84. at St. Basil Catholic Church in Judice, LA at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 2, 2017 with Rev. Rex Broussard as Celebrant. Visitation will begin in the Duhon Funeral Home-Rayne Chapel on Friday, September 01, 2017 at 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM with the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 PM by the St. Basil Knights of Columbus. Visitation will resume at 8:00 AM on Saturday, September 2, 2017, until just prior to the time of service. Interment will follow the church service and will be in St. Basil Catholic Cemetery in Judice, LA.
Mr. Arabie was a native of Vermilion Parish and a longtime resident of Judice, LA. He was the youngest of eight children. A veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956; went to Technical School for Machinist; later completed Business Administration Courses at Spencer Business College located in Lafayette, LA; the majority of his working life was spent as a Salesman in the oilfield industry. Was a Member of the Knights of Columbus since 1963 and was a current member of Council 1071 at St. Basil in Judice, LA. He was also a member of VFW Post 9822 where he held the positions of Commander and Quartermaster. He had a great love for books, especially novels, westerns and history.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Leah A. Arabie of Judice, LA; children, Donna Arabie Snyder and her husband, Michael of Judice, LA, Janet Arabie Leger and her husband, Rogers of Judice, LA, Glenda Arabie Grasz and her husband, Gene of Corpus Christi, TX; three grandchildren, Dana Snyder Foist and her husband, Matthew of Judice, LA, Jennifer Leger Gerard and her husband, Randall of Milton, LA and Jessica Lynn Leger of Judice, LA; one great-grandchild, Madison Foist.
Mr. Arabie’s family would like to express sincere thanks to STAT, First Named Basis, the VA Homebound, St. Joseph’s Hospice, his hairdresser, Helen Abernathy and Eucharistic Ministers Linda Robin and Brenda Lagneaux.
Mr. Arabie was preceded in death by his parents, Wilson and Armance Arabie and seven siblings.
Pallbearers will be Gene Grasz, Matthew Foist, Bradley Duhon, Steven Arabie, Dennis Arabie and Michael Arabie. Honorary pallbearers will be Michael Snyder, Rogers Leger, Winston “Sonny” Arabie, Aaron Duhon and Stanley Arabie, Sr.
You may view the obituary, sign the guest registry and express condolences online to Mr. Arabie’s family at www.duhonfuneralhome.com.
Duhon Funeral Home, LLC-Rayne, (337) 334-3600, 900 East Texas Ave., Rayne, LA 70578 is in charge of all of the arrangements.