Richard "Dicky" deVargas

Richard M. “Dicky” deVargas, 73 years of age, passed away Wednesday, May 04, 2011. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Church in Natchitoches with the Rev. Louis Sklar officiating. Interment will follow at Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home. Visitation will be held at the Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home on Friday, May 6, 2011, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a Rosary Service in the funeral home chapel at 7:00 p.m. Dicky was a native of Natchitoches, Louisiana and was owner and operator of Acme Cement Products Co. for 40 years until his retirement in 2002. Mr. deVargas served on numerous boards and committees both locally and through out the state. He was a longtime loyal supporter of Northwestern State University as well as a supporter of area high school athletics. He enjoyed and appreciated physical fitness and music. Throughout his life, he was an avid horseman; successfully breeding, training and racing quarter horses. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was preceded in death by his parents Richard A. deVargas and Mary Frances Dawkins deVargas. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Janell Harkins deVargas; sons, Richard E deVargas and his wife Amy of Natchitoches, La. and Christopher A. deVargas of Natchitoches, La.; sisters, Mary Frances Lowrey of Natchitoches, La and Jacqueline Casemore of Baton Rouge, La.; grandchildren; Elizabeth Kate and Will deVargas of Natchitoches, La.; as well as a host of nieces & nephews. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Tom Murchison, Ed Dranguet, Gary Harkins, Edgar Roge, Burton Weaver, Joe Sampite, Rick Hudson, and Eddie Ahrens. Honorary pallbearers will be Joe Bienvenu, Mike Hayes, Russel Bienvenu, Ocie Charles, Mike Whitford, Gary Casemore, Joe Harkins and Louis Lowrey. The family would like to express a special thanks to Mary “Weezie” Harkins, Dr. Stephen Wheat, Dr. Michael Gooszen and the staff at Christus Schumpert Highland, Dr. Chris Ingram and the emergency staff and physicians at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center, and the staff and physicians at Methodist Hospital in Houston. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN and/or the Northwestern State University Athletic Association.