Ralph Lamond Pike

LISBON, LA: On October 15, 1935, Ralph Lamond Pike was born in the Hurricane Community, near Athens, LA. He passed away peacefully on February 10, 2015 in Shreveport, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Henry Pike of and Ollie Choate Pike of Athens, LA. Mr. Pike leaves behind five children: Simone Wart (Tim) of Bryceland, LA; Malinda/Mimi Butler (Randy) of El Dorado, AR; Steven Lamond Pike of Homer, LA; Miriam Hardy Danna (Paul Baker) of Shreveport, LA; and John Pike (Teresa) of Brandon, FL; as well as their mother, Irene Ann Pike of Homer, LA. Also left to cherish his memory are two siblings: Emma Nell Pike-Gantt of Athens, LA.; and a twin brother, James Alfred \"Alf\" Pike (Peggy) of Homer. Ralph Pike leaves behind eleven grandchildren: Kathryn Wart-Durrett of Aspermont, TX; Kristen Wart, & Timothy Wart of Bryceland, LA; Matthew & Brittany Butler of El Dorado, AR; David Hardy of Charleston, SC; Shawn Hardy of San Antonio, TX and Nathan Danna of Shreveport LA; and Olivia, Larry Joe & Wesley Pike of Brandon, FL. Also surviving him are great grandchildren: Danielle Hardy; Aubri Wart and Rylie Moss, Ireland Baker, Mateo Scott and Jacoby Hardy of Charleston, SC. Many cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, former students and co-workers will miss his wit and humor. Ralph graduated in 1954 from Athens High and received a bachelor\'s degree in Industrial Arts from Southwestern Louisiana State University in Lafayette, LA. After college, he joined the United States Army. While on leave in Michigan, he met his future wife, Irene Ann Kurkowski. He accepted a transfer to Honolulu, HI, where he and Irene were married. After serving in the Army, he taught high school Wyandotte, MI. Seeking a warmer climate, they moved in 1965 to Houma, LA, and then in 1969 they permanently settled in Homer, LA. Mr. Pike worked very hard to provide for his family. After moving to Homer, he worked for the Army Ammunition Plant in Haughton, LA. He later worked at Claiborne Electric Co-Op in Homer, LA, and then taught \"industrial arts\" (shop) classes at Homer High School from 1972 to 1976. With a growing family, he left teaching and started his own construction company-- \"Pike\'s Home Improvements.\" From 1975 until 1993, he built a dairy barn, several homes, & a church, and he focused on roofing, custom cabinetry, and home improvements. After closing his business, he attended Louisiana Tech to renew his teacher\'s license. He then worked for Monroe City Schools teaching life skills classes at Neville High School. He later returned to Homer High School and taught Trades & Industry classes until 2009. After retiring from Homer High School, Ralph drove cross country -- visiting family members from Baton Rouge to Georgia, and continued on to Washington D.C., where he visited several national monuments. After that trip, he retired to his home in Lisbon, LA. His health began to deteriorate, and he was hospitalized for several months, fighting for his life. Not long after his illness, he was placed in The Glen Nursing Care Facility in Shreveport and was then transferred to The Oaks of Willis-Knighton, (also in Shreveport), where he lived for the last two years of his life. Mr. Pike was from a large family and was preceded in death by the following 11 siblings: Eugenia & Elizabeth Pike (infant girls); Mosley Pike; Larry Joe Pike (of Haughton); Bobbie Jean Pike Breaux (of Eunice, LA), Cascile Pike Lemley (of Ohio); Juanita Pike Hawk (of Alexandria); Camille Pike Canterbury (of Arcadia); Helen Pike Breaux (of Lafayette); Edwin Pike (of Minden) and James Malvin Pike (of Baton Rouge). He will be missed by his children and grandchildren, his former students & co-workers; and numerous extended family members. Funeral services were held for Mr. Ralph Lamond Pike, 79, at the Chapel of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 405 East 5th Street in Homer, on Saturday, February 14, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. R.B. Moore, officiating. Interment followed at Mt. Mariah Cemetery near Arcadia, LA. The family received friends at the funeral home on Friday from 5-7 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to The American Red Cross Blood Banks of Louisiana, of which he was a member of The Five Gallon Club.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110