Larris Joseph Denais

Abbeville—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 17, 2024  at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Catholic Church honoring the life of Larris Joseph Denais, 95, who died peacefully at his home on Sunday, January 14, 2024.   He will be laid to rest at St. Alphonsus Cemetery with Fr. François Sainte-Marie officiating the services.

Larris attended school in Maurice, Louisiana in his early years and received vocational education in mechanics in his adulthood. He was a strong advocate for education and urged his siblings and both his children to strive for the highest educational level they could achieve. He read everything he could put his hands on, primarily biographies and autobiographies of people who played important roles in shaping the country and the state of Louisiana. He read the local newspapers daily to keep up with current events and enjoyed critiquing the state of local, national, and worldwide affairs government.

He spent most of his career in the automobile industry, first becoming a mechanic and later moving into the role of manager of the service department of what was then Ray Chevrolet-Olds. His years as a mechanic taught him how to repair almost any type of engine. His nephews would often call him for advice with mechanical problems when they were refurbishing old vehicles. One nephew shared “when I asked Uncle Larris what was wrong with the car, he told me to put the phone near the engine so he could hear it running, and he was able to immediately tell me what the problem was.”

Another interest of his was horses, particularly quarter horses. He developed an interest in horses and horsemanship as a young boy living in Henry where he watched local horsemen round up cattle during storms to move them to higher ground.

Larris was also a good dancer, according to his “bride” as he called his wife Gladys. But above all else, family was his highest priority, and relished his role as husband, father, grandfather, and most recently, great-grandfather.

He is survived by his children Diane Sasser (John) and Ruth LeGros (Tony); grandchildren, Brooke LeGros and Allison Meaux (Brett); great granddaughter, Cecilia Grace Meaux; brother, Dale Denais (Mary); sister-in-law, Margaret Denais (Lee); and several nieces and nephews.

Larris is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Landry Denais; parents, John and Rena Trahan Denais; sisters, Dorothy Landry and Virgie Domingue; brother Lee Denais; brothers-in-law, J. C. Landry and O. J. Domingue;  nephews, Tommy Denais and David Denais; and niece, Patricia Landry.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, 209 S. St. Charles St., on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 9:00 AM until 12:45 PM when the procession will depart for the church.   A rosary being prayed at 12:00 PM.

The family would like to thank the staff of Heart of Hospice, nurse Skyla Pilcher, and caregivers Bridget Lacey and Esther Ward for their outstanding care.