Richard Joseph “Dick” Gremillion Sr., 70, passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024 in a local hospital following a brief illness.

Dick was born Oct. 25, 1954 in Alexandria, La. to Dalton Hunter Gremillion and Harriet O’Quin Gremillion. He was a 1972 graduate of Alexandria High School and studied to obtain his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northwestern State University.  In 1989, he made Lake Charles his home.  Dick began his career in Insurance Claims working 13 years as a Claims Supervisor for USF&G Insurance Company.  In 1993, he took a position with the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury as Parish Risk Manager and in May of 2024 he retired with 31 years of service, with 28 years as the Director of the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. He served as Co-Chair (2010 to Present) and Chairman (2010 to Present), and Secretary/Treasurer on the Local Emergency Planning Committee; Secretary for the SWLA Mutal Aid Association and SWLA Fire Chief’s Association; and Supervisor, Calcasieu Parish Fire District #2 of Ward 3.   Dick also served as the Louisiana Region Homeland Security Coordinator and was the Incident Commander through 25 presidentially declared disasters, including Hurricanes Lili, Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike.  His current memberships include National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), National Association of EMS Educators, Louisiana Claims Association, Lake Charles Claims Association, Louisiana Public Risk Management Association (LA PRIMA), National Association of Insurance Women (NAIW), Insurance Professionals of Southwest Louisiana (IPSL), Louisiana Region 18 Communications Planning Task Force (APCO), Federal Coordinator of Meteorology Committee on Homeland Security, Louisiana State Executive Interoperability Committee, Southwest Louisiana Joint Terrorism Task Force, POST certified reserve deputy, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Emergency Manager certification (LEM) and SWLA/SETX Interoperability working group.  As an expert in his field, he was well respected throughout the state by countless many.  He took pride in meeting two United States Presidents in his official capacity. Upon his retirement he stated, “I’m going to miss meeting with people, collaborating, building teams, mentoring people into the future… just leadership issues in general.”

Outside of the office, Dick enjoyed fishing and kayaking at Prien Lake and target shooting whenever he got the chance. He had a passion for photography of nature, airplanes, cars and family.  His greatest joy was his family, and his soft spot was his grandchildren.  He will be most remembered for his quiet sensitivity, quick wit, unique sense of humor and his ability to remain calm and steady in high stress situations.  He will be greatly missed.

He leaves to honor his memory, his wife of 41 years, Fay Trotter Gremillion; his two sons, Richard Joseph Gremillion Jr. (Kayla) of Louisville, Ky. and Andy Trotter Gremillion (Courtney) of Lake Charles, and his two grandchildren, Townes Marlowe Gremillion and Charles “Charlie” Joseph Gremillion. He also leaves behind his sister, Pat Lee (Bob) of Granbury, Texas; two aunts, Beverly Jane O’Quin of Lake Charles and Frances O’Quin Anderson of Pineville, La.; brothers-in-law, James Trotter, Gary Trotter (Barbara), William Trotter and Greg Trotter (Theresa), all of Alexandria and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dalton and Harriet Gremillion; his brother, Donald Edward Gremillion; nephew, Bryan Lee, and many aunts and uncles.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 at Trinity Baptist Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation Friday will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at Trinity.

Honorary pallbearers for his service will be Gregg Lee, Todd Lee, Howard Maines, Will Trotter, Oakley Trotter, Ryan Trotter, Alex Trotter, and Jamie Trotter.

The family would like to give special thanks to those that provided support during Dick’s illness.  Additional thanks to the staff at Christus Ochsner Lake Area Hospital for providing care.

Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation Southwest Chapter – https://www.parkinson.org/gulfcoast.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneral home.net.