Raymond Mahfouz Sr.

Funeral services will be held at a 2:30 PM Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, March 6, 2007 in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers for Raymond Mahfouz, Sr., 81, who passed away Sunday, March 4, 2007 at Lafayette General Medical Center. Reverend Monsignor Charles Mallet will be Celebrant of the Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Interment will take place in Calvary Mausoleum. Mr. Mahfouz, a native of Fargo, Arkansas, was the son of the late Victor and Latify Mahfouz. He was a 1946 graduate of Brinkley High School in Brinkley, Arkansas and attended Arkansas State Teachers College. Raymond played basketball and football during high school and college and was an avid golfer. Mr. Mahfouz was a veteran of the United States Army, 104th Infantry Division, having served during World War II around Nurnberg and Cologne, Germany. He was a Purple Heart recipient from injuries received while serving our country in Germany. After returning from World War II, Raymond returned to the U.S. and moved to Alexandria, LA where he met and married JoAnn Russo and started a family. He moved to Lafayette, LA in 1952 where he started his career as Manager of Louisiana Cigarette Service. He later opened Cottons Pest Control, which he owned and operated with his family for many years. He worked for many years as an independent building contractor and real estate broker. Raymond was a member of the Exchange Club, Beavers Club and Cedars Club. Raymond was also a member of the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation. He enjoyed his family, children and grandchildren and especially loved teaching Syrian/Lebanese cooking to his family. He will be greatly missed by his family and all who loved him. Survivors include his wife, the former JoAnn Russo; three daughters, Sharon Hadley and her husband, Mike of Soquel, CA, Sandra Delhomme and her husband, Duane of Lafayette and Michelle Mahfouz; three sons, Raymond Mahfouz, Jr. and wife, Judy of Youngsville, Stafford W. Mahfouz and wife, Janet of North Richland Hills, TX and Louis Mahfouz and wife, Nadine of Lafayette; three sisters, Gloria Baker, Maxine Beard and Theresa Slater all of Alexandria; four brothers, Happy Mahfouz, Robert Mahfouz, Victor Mahfouz, Jr. and Peter Mahfouz all of Alexandria; thirteen grandchildren, Tara Boone, Melanie Mahfouz, Elizabeth Martin, Christopher Mahfouz, Casey and Lacey Cowden, Tiffany, Lauren and Louis Mahfouz, Damian and Devin Delhomme and Adam and Alexandria Domingue; four great grandchildren, Hanna and Blake Martin, Emily Mancuso and Isabella Mahfouz; four step grandchildren, David Clark, Jr., Nathan, Cassandra and Caleb Hadley; two step great grandchildren, Kieran and Olivia Clark; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Lamia Mahfouz and JoAnn Mahfouz Pospisil; and two brothers, Joe Mahfouz and Kelly Mahfouz. The family requests that visiting hours be observed Tuesday from 8:00 AM until time of service at 2:30 PM on Tuesday. A rosary was recited Monday at 7:00 PM at Delhomme Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Greg Baker, Donald Baker, Scott Mahfouz, Robbie Mahfouz, David Mahfouz, Damian J. Delhomme, Louis Mahfouz, II, Bradley Pospisil, Adam Domingue, Michael Mahfouz, Brian Moreau, Peter Mahfouz, III and Paul Mahfouz. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Luis Meza, Dr. John Mickey, Dr. Stephen Salopek, Dr. Jeff Budden, Dr. Scott Nuesetzer, Dr. Ed Breaux, Dr. Maximo LaMarche and Staff, Dr. Ghyass Rizk, Dr. Matt Holden, the staff of Synergy Healthcare, Hospice of Acadiana and Father Mike Champagne. Personal condolences may be sent to the Mahfouz family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.