Roland Joseph Guidry

Roland Joseph Guidry Rayne, LA - Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at a 11:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rayne for Roland Joseph Guidry. Interment will be in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Cemetery in Leroy LA. The Very Rev. Brent L. Smith VF of St. Joseph Catholic Church will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass and will conduct the funeral services. Roland Guidry, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center on Monday July 21, 2025, at the age of 78. Born on December 9, 1946, in Rayne, Louisiana, Roland was raised in Duson, Louisiana. He was known for his quiet strength, deep faith, and unwavering love for his family. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Veronica “Ronnie” Landry Guidry, with whom he shared a lifetime of devotion and partnership. He was the proud father of the late Bart Guidry and Shelley Guidry Miller. Roland’s greatest joy came from his role as “PopPop” to his cherished grandchildren. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who loved him and the values he instilled in his family. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. A proud graduate of the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now UL Lafayette), Roland earned a Bachelor of Science in Management. He continued his education at the LSU Banking School of the South and the University of Oklahoma Commercial and Consumer Lending School. Passionate about helping others grow, he also served as an instructor of American Institute of Banking courses in Alexandria. Roland devoted much of his professional life to Rayne State Bank, beginning his career there in 1976. His dedication and leadership led him to serve as President and CEO from February 1995 to May 2004, during which time he played a pivotal role in expanding the bank’s presence across Acadiana by opening multiple branch locations. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1992 and later named Chairman of the Board in 2004. In addition, he served as President of Financial Corporation of Louisiana from December 2002 to May 2006. Roland continued to lend his insight and guidance as an Advisory Director of Rayne State Bank after his retirement on June 1, 2006. Roland was an active member of the Rayne Jaycees and the Rayne Chamber of Commerce, where he notably served as Chairman of the Rayne Frog Festival in 1978. His deep civic commitment also led him to spend many years with the Rayne Lions Club, where he once served as President, leaving a lasting impact through his leadership and generosity. A man of deep faith, Roland was a devoted parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church, where he found strength, guidance, and community. Roland developed a love for amateur radio as a sophomore at Scott High School while taking an Industrial Arts class. Though family life kept him busy for many years, he joyfully returned to his HAM radio hobby in 2001 and remained active until 2025. A proud member of the Acadiana Amateur Radio Association, Roland participated in countless HAM radio contests, connecting with people across the globe — including astronauts — and finding joy in sharing stories over the airwaves. Outside of his civic and radio interests, Roland was an avid gardener who planted a Spring and Fall Garden each year. He spent many summers with family and friends at their cherished camp in Holly Beach, Louisiana — until Hurricane Rita swept it away. He found great enjoyment fishing with friends throughout his life. His greatest joy, however, was time spent with his grandchildren, sharing laughter, and making memories that will last a lifetime. Together with his beloved wife, Ronnie, Roland traveled the world, creating unforgettable memories. In the last two decades of his life, the two embraced RV travel across the United States and Canada, joining camping groups and forming lasting friendships with fellow travelers from all over the country. They were active members of Cruisin' Cajuns and Bayou Kruisers. Roland is survived by his wife, Veronica (Ronnie) Landry Guidry, his daughter, Shelley and spouse Brian Miller, daughter-in-law, Venus Guidry, brother, Kenneth and spouse Katie Guidry, and sister-in-law, Yvette Guidry, his grandchildren, Madelyn Miller, Ethan Guidry, Lillian Miller, Collin Miller, Hayden Miller, Landon Miller, step grandchildren, Alec Arceneaux, Grant Arceneaux, Garon Arceneaux. Roland was preceded in death by son, Bart Paul Guidry, parents, Dominic and Bertha Champagne Guidry and his brother, Mitch Guidry. Pallbearers will be Brian Miller, Collin Miller, Hayden Miller, Landon Miller, Curtis Landry, and Kenneth Guidry. Honorary Pallbearer will be Ethan Guidry. A Rosary will be prayed Friday at 6:00 pm in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne LA. The family requests that visitation be observed in Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne LA on Friday July 25, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm and on Saturday July 26, 2025, from 8:00 am to 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers contribution can be made in Roland Joseph Guidry's name to Tunnels to Towers Foundation at t2t.org/donate/, or American Heart Association at heart.org Friends may view the obituary and guestbook online at www.gossenfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been entrusted to Gossen Funeral Home, Inc. of Rayne, LA, (337) 334-3141.

Roland Joseph Guidry

December 9, 1946 - July 21, 2025