Robert "Robbie" Vercher

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Robert Anthony “Robbie” Vercher, 26, of Natchitoches at 10 a.m. Monday, November 3, 2014, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Natchitoches with Fr. John O'Brien serving as celebrant; and Fr. Jason Gootee, Fr. John Pardue, Fr. Thomas Paul, Fr. Blake Deshautelle, Fr. Dan Cook and Fr. Stephen Soares as concelebrants. Interment will follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery of Natchitoches. Visitation will be at Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, November 2nd and a Rosary prayed at 7 p.m. Born January 16, 1988, in Natchitoches, Robbie died Wednesday, October 29, 2014. Robbie graduated from Natchitoches Central High School and earned an associate degree from Bossier Parish Community College. He was a loving person who loved the Lord and was very devoted to his Christian faith. He was a very talented and creative artist, who also wrote poetry. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his Pappa Buddy, especially in his youth. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his friend and mentor Fr. Jason Gootee. He loved sports, having played football and soccer for Natchitoches Central. He was especially passionate about LSU and Saints football. Robbie is survived by his parents, Joan Marteel McClung Simpson of Natchitoches and Anthony C. Vercher of Ocean Springs, Mississippi; his stepmother Retta K. Vercher; stepfather Kurt Simpson; brother Caleb Andrew Snody; stepbrother Nicholas Simpson; and stepsister Annie Simpson; aunts Michelle V. Edwards, Mary Kay M. Zeringue, Cynthia M. White and Jennifer M. James; uncles Larry Vercher and David McClung Jr.; and numerous cousins and friends who loved him dearly. He was the grandson of Joan West McClung Gahagan and Russell “Buddy” Gahagan of Natchitoches; and Robert and Judith Vercher of Alabaster, Alabama, formerly of Derry. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, David Masters McClung Sr. Pallbearers are Coleman “Cole” Miller Martin II, Sidney Frederick, Rory Marcotte, Nicholas Simpson, Bill Murphy and Garrett D. Spear. Honorary pallbearer will be Ian Cruise. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, P.O. Box 62596, Baltimore, MD 21264-2596, nami.org, 888-999-6264.