Former U.S. congressman for the 6th District of Louisiana, 20th Judicial District judge for East and West Feliciana parishes, and decorated World War II veteran and prisoner of war, John R. Rarick died Monday Sept. 14, 2009, at his home in St. Francisville. He was 85. Born Jan. 29, 1924, in Waterford, Ind., he graduated Goshen (Ind.) High School, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Army wherein he was sent as a young honor cadet to be stationed in barracks at LSU, and returned following World War II, to become a lifelong resident of Louisiana and West Feliciana Parish. Captured by the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

He was a graduate of LSU and Tulane University where he received his law degree and served as a member of the State Bar Association for more than 60 years, and as a state district judge for East and West Feliciana parishes from 1961-1966. In 1967, he defeated former Congressman Jimmy Morrison to become the U.S. representative for the 6th District, serving four terms through 1975. In 1980, he was nominated and ran for president of the United States as the American Independent Party candidate. His lifelong motto and devotion has been "For God and Constitution." His congressional records and memorabilia have been donated to Southeastern Louisiana University. He received numerous awards and recognition throughout his life, including the National Society for the Daughters of American Revolution Medal of Honor, National Counsel of Conservative Citizens, Medal of Freedom Award from Cardinal Mendzenty, and being recognized recently as the "Mason of the Century" for Feliciana Lodge 31, where he was active for more than 50 years and twice served as its worshipful master. He was instrumental in organizing its annual "Day the War Stopped" Civil War re-enactment.

A most beloved husband, father and grandfather, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Marguerite Pierce Rarick, and grandson Marc Magee Slattery.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Eldred Campbell Rarick, three children; son John Rarick, II and wife Kay, and daughters Cherie Rarick Brumfield and husband Bill, and Laurie Rarick Slattery and husband John; nine grandchildren: John Rarick, III and wife Tara, Parrish Rarick, Alecia Rarick Tortorich and husband Louis, Jodie Brumfield Morrow and husband Jude, William Brian Brumfield, H. Doyle Magee, III, John Slattery, III, Marguerite Slattery and Patrick Rarick Slattery; and six great-grandchildren: Brennan Morrow, Catherine Morrow, Christian Rarick, McKenna Rarick, John Challen Rarick, and Kaitlyn Tortorich. He is also survived by four step-children; Scott, Don, and Dave Campbell and Lori Campbell Teufert; and one step-grandchild, Derrick Hyde.

Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street downtown Baton Rouge. Funeral service at the First Baptist Church of St. Francisville, with Masonic services and graveside ceremonies following at the Star Hill Cemetery off U.S. 61 and La. 966 outside St. Francisville. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Special thanks to Barbara Edmonson of Highland Hospice and Andy and Hope Moreau for their loving and caring services.

"He would say, 'I'm a southerner by choice, not chance', " Cherie Brumfield recalled.

Obituary published in The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., 09/16/2009.
∼Middle name suggested byNelda A..
∼Parental links and birth location suggested byAnne Stutzman Stevens.

Former U.S. congressman for the 6th District of Louisiana, 20th Judicial District judge for East and West Feliciana parishes, and decorated World War II veteran and prisoner of war, John R. Rarick died Monday Sept. 14, 2009, at his home in St. Francisville. He was 85. Born Jan. 29, 1924, in Waterford, Ind., he graduated Goshen (Ind.) High School, and shortly thereafter enlisted in the Army wherein he was sent as a young honor cadet to be stationed in barracks at LSU, and returned following World War II, to become a lifelong resident of Louisiana and West Feliciana Parish. Captured by the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge, he was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

He was a graduate of LSU and Tulane University where he received his law degree and served as a member of the State Bar Association for more than 60 years, and as a state district judge for East and West Feliciana parishes from 1961-1966. In 1967, he defeated former Congressman Jimmy Morrison to become the U.S. representative for the 6th District, serving four terms through 1975. In 1980, he was nominated and ran for president of the United States as the American Independent Party candidate. His lifelong motto and devotion has been "For God and Constitution." His congressional records and memorabilia have been donated to Southeastern Louisiana University. He received numerous awards and recognition throughout his life, including the National Society for the Daughters of American Revolution Medal of Honor, National Counsel of Conservative Citizens, Medal of Freedom Award from Cardinal Mendzenty, and being recognized recently as the "Mason of the Century" for Feliciana Lodge 31, where he was active for more than 50 years and twice served as its worshipful master. He was instrumental in organizing its annual "Day the War Stopped" Civil War re-enactment.

A most beloved husband, father and grandfather, he was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Marguerite Pierce Rarick, and grandson Marc Magee Slattery.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Eldred Campbell Rarick, three children; son John Rarick, II and wife Kay, and daughters Cherie Rarick Brumfield and husband Bill, and Laurie Rarick Slattery and husband John; nine grandchildren: John Rarick, III and wife Tara, Parrish Rarick, Alecia Rarick Tortorich and husband Louis, Jodie Brumfield Morrow and husband Jude, William Brian Brumfield, H. Doyle Magee, III, John Slattery, III, Marguerite Slattery and Patrick Rarick Slattery; and six great-grandchildren: Brennan Morrow, Catherine Morrow, Christian Rarick, McKenna Rarick, John Challen Rarick, and Kaitlyn Tortorich. He is also survived by four step-children; Scott, Don, and Dave Campbell and Lori Campbell Teufert; and one step-grandchild, Derrick Hyde.

Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street downtown Baton Rouge. Funeral service at the First Baptist Church of St. Francisville, with Masonic services and graveside ceremonies following at the Star Hill Cemetery off U.S. 61 and La. 966 outside St. Francisville. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Special thanks to Barbara Edmonson of Highland Hospice and Andy and Hope Moreau for their loving and caring services.

"He would say, 'I'm a southerner by choice, not chance', " Cherie Brumfield recalled.

Obituary published in The Advocate, Baton Rouge, La., 09/16/2009.
∼Middle name suggested byNelda A..
∼Parental links and birth location suggested byAnne Stutzman Stevens.