With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Ray Lemaire, who passed away on October 19, 2026, at age 86. Raywood devoted his life to his community, most notably through his dedicated service as Sheriff.

Funeral services honoring Ray’s life will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, with Deacon William "Billy" Vincent officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Austin Lemaire, Brant Abshire, Colton Lemaire, Jacob Trahan, Sheriff Eddie Langlinais, and Mike Couvillon. Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald Vidallier.

Visitation will be held at Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, 209 S. Saint Charles St., Abbeville, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with a rosary at 6:00 PM followed by a eulogy. Visitation will resume on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 8:00 AM and continue until services begin. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects and celebrate Ray’s life, remembering his accomplishments, his lasting influence, and the love and kindness he shared.

Born on October 1, 1940, in Lafayette to Wilfred and Nolia Menard Lemaire, Ray Lemaire grew up mostly in Vermilion Parish. A true Cajun, he spoke French as his primary language and learned English when he started school.

Ray’s commitment to public service began soon after he graduated from Kaplan High School in 1959 and joined the United States Navy. During his four years in the Navy, his work as a shore patrol officer marked the beginning of his lifelong involvement in law enforcement.

Soon after his discharge from the Navy, Ray joined the Louisiana State Police, where he served for twenty years. He worked as a patrol officer, then a criminal intelligence officer, and finally a narcotics enforcement officer specializing in anti-narcotics smuggling operations. In that final role, he and his team members set national records for drug seizures.

Elected Sheriff of Vermilion Parish in 1983, Ray served from 1984 to 2004, fulfilling an ambition shaped by his years with the Louisiana State Police. He quickly brought together fellow professionals who shared his vision for law enforcement in the parish. He took great pride in transforming the Vermilion Parish Sheriff's Department into a well-trained, professional organization.

At the time of his induction, Ray was a minority owner of Emerald Correctional Management Company, which had offices in Shreveport and Scott, Louisiana, and holdings in Louisiana and Texas. He and his wife, Jane, settled into retirement in "Big Woods" in Esther, Louisiana. Ray enjoyed traveling, especially to French-speaking countries, where he proudly promoted his beloved Cajun heritage and Abbeville's Giant Omelette Celebration.

Ray is survived by his loving wife, Elia "Jane" Cessac Lemaire; his children, Melissa L. Abshire and her husband Brent, Angela L. Trahan and her husband Paul, and Shawn Lemaire and his wife Misty. His grandchildren are Brant J. Abshire and his wife Amy; Austin Lemaire and his fiancée Tia Schexnayder; Colton Lemaire; Jacob Trahan and his wife Emily; and Emily Leger and her husband John. His great-grandchildren are Evan Abshire, James Abshire, Harrison Lemaire, William Lemaire, Alexander Lemaire, Liam Trahan, Ellis Trahan, and Noah Trahan. He is also survived by his sister, Jannery Roberts and her husband Jimmy; his brother Russell Lemaire; and his brother Michael Lemaire and his wife Gloria. His many family members and friends will remember his unwavering integrity, dedication to public service, and loving spirit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred Lemaire and the former Nolia Menard; his sister-in-law, Patricia Lemaire; his brother-in-law, Lennis Chauvin; his mother-in-law, Elda Cessac; and his father-in-law, Lawrence Cessac.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Vincent Funeral Home - Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.