Oray Boston, Sr.

Memorial service for Oray Bernard Boston, Sr. will be held on Thurday, July 2, 2020 beginning at 11:00am in St. Paul Catholic Church in Mansura with Father Irion St. Romain officiating. Inurnment will take place in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery.

Oray Bernard Boston, Sr. transitioned peacefully on Friday, June 26, 2020.

Oray, “Big O” to his family and friends, was born on April 21, 1936 in Mansura, Louisiana to Horace and Florence (née Lavalais) Boston. As a young boy he was raised surrounded by generations of family members. He enjoyed riding horses, hunting and fishing. He inherited his talent for cooking from his father. After finishing his formal education, Oray enlisted in the United States Army. Upon his return home, he met the love of his life, Julia Rabalais. Julia and Oray married on December 31, 1960. They settled in Mansura and began expanding their family.

Oray had a successful career in construction. He learned the tenets of hard work and obtained an ability to fix anything. Oray went on to work for the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office in Bunkie, Louisiana before he retired in 2000. Oray fully embraced retirement, and he enjoyed being able to cook for his wife, care for his beautiful garden, and take care of his flowers and his yard. Big O shared his culinary skills with everyone. Each year he volunteered to cook at the Cochon de Lait Festival and his Parish Church Festival. Big O’s idea of a good time was a backyard barbecue with his entire family, all of his friends and delicious food. Play his favorite song “Members Only” by Bobby Blue Bland and you will elicit a grin along with a solid two-step dance. Oray also loved watching professional basketball games. If the Warriors are playing, please just call him back.

Above all else, Big O was a true patriarch. He adored his children and grandchildren. Big O was silly, but stern. He was hilariously sarcastic, yet loving. He beamed with pride at every accomplishment his children and grandchildren obtained, and traveled to celebrate all his family’s major life events. He loved his sisters, nephews and nieces immensely. Big O’s friends were his family. His best friend in the world was his wife, Julia who he laughed with, cared for and loved unfailingly for sixty years. Oray was a faithful and devoted Roman Catholic. He believed in the power of prayer and leaned on his faith in times of sorrow and celebration.

Oray is preceded in death by his parents Horace and Florence Boston, sisters Bernice Francisco and Magdelene Francisco, and brother Evan Boston. He is survived by his wife, Julia; daughters Ingrid, Elizabeth, Regina and Kimberly; son Oray, Jr. (Jennifer); grandchildren LaRae’, Mara and Michael; sisters Rachel and Marcella; adopted daughter and friend Audrey Mae Ross and a host of beloved nephews, nieces, cousins, godchildren, family and friends.

Oray prayed that his loved ones would always lean on God, and he promised to meet us again in Heaven.

He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Luke 23: 43.

Visitation will begin Thursday morning at 9:00 am until 10:30 am in Escude Funeral Home of Mansura. A rosary will be recited in the funeral home at 10:30am before departing for church.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Oray Boston’s name to the American Heart Association and that everyone wear a mask to protect yourself and those around you.