Joseph “Pop” Elwood Suire, 87, of Ragley, La. died at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 at Jeff Davis Nursing Home in Jennings, La. under Lamm Family Hospice Care. He battled Chronic Lymphoid Leukemia and Colon Cancer for the last five years.

Joseph was born April 29, 1937, in Kaplan, La. to the late Willie and Dulia Harrington Suire. He attended Kaplan High School and joined the United States Air Force in 1954 where he retired with 21 years of service. After retiring he lived in Mont Belvieu, Texas and started his second career working for Bayer Chemical as a supervisor. 

Joseph was an admirable son, brother, uncle, husband, brother-in-law, father, grandfather, mentor and a loyal friend. He was a Veteran who loved his country and traveling. He spent over 50 years as a professional bowler. He maintained a 200+ average and played in several leagues. He never met a stranger and was loved by all. His personality and sense of humor left you in laughter.

He is survived by his two sons, Keith Suire of Kaplan and Kevin Suire of Ragley; two great-grandsons, U.S. Army SPC Nathan Suire of Ft. Carson, Colo. and Alx Suire of Deer Park, Texas; one niece, Carol Guidry; one nephew, Calvin Guidry; his companion of 12 years, Salomie “Blackie” Dugat of Crowley; bonus daughter, Charlene Sonnier (Steven Kitchell) of Jacksonville, Fla.; his bonus grandchildren, Randie Sonnier and Christopher Kitchell both of Jacksonville, Fla.; his Air Force grandson, Gerald Soileu; and his special extended family, Lynn and Linde VanWinkle, Carol Core, Raymona Senegal, Pam and Ryan Thibodeaux, Randy and Mom Noel, Rodger and Janet Burlson, Kenny Richard and Rick Theriot.

Joseph was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Betty St. Amant Suire; his parents, Willie Suire and the former Dulia Harrington; one sister, Eula Suire Guidry; brother-in-law, Ray Guidry, and his grandson, Keith Joseph “Joey” Suire.

Funeral services officiated by the Rev. Stephen Sahayaraj Irudayasamy will be held at Vincent Funeral Home in Kaplan on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 at 11 a.m. The burial will follow at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery.

The family request visitation at Vincent Funeral Home on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will continue Thursday from 8 a.m. until the service at 11 a.m. A rosary will be prayed at 6:30 p.m.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Jeff Davis Nursing Home Staff, especially Crystal Broussard LPN, Robin Freeman CNA, the staff of Lamm Family Hospice Care, Dr. Michael Bergeron and Dr. Matthew Boudreaux, and the staff at Beauregard Health System, including Amanda Cruz, Nicole Thompson, Gail Morrow, Susan Midkiff, and Shannon Royer. 

All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home – Kaplan. (337) 643-7276