Norris Joseph Riche’   
(January 31, 1931 – January 10, 2015)

NORRIS JOSEPH RICHE’ 84 of Alexandria , La, died in his home Saturday morning, January 10th, 2015 , of natural causes, between the hours of midnight & 4 a.m. He had Alzheimer's.

Visitation will be held at Kramer Funeral Home from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2015 . Burial will be held in Louisiana Veterans Cemetery , Leesville, with full military honors, due to distance there will be no funeral procession.

He was born in Bunkie , La. , January 31st, 1931 to parents; Louis Clave Riche’ Sr. & his wife Lenora Descant - Riche’. He lived in Evergreen, La. for many years.

He was a 1948 graduate of EHS & lived in Evergreen until graduating from high school. His parents lived next door to Mr. Anthony Smith, where they once ran a small grocery store. He was a long-time leader & singer in the Little Flower choir. He also filled as the organist, when needed. He attended & graduated from Southwestern Louisiana Institute with a B.S. degree in Agriculture, on May 26th, 1952 .

He attended Officer Training School in 1952 & earned the rank of 2nd Lt. He entered Active duty with the USAF on August 7th, 1952 , during the “Korean Peace Time.” He received a promotion to the rank of 1st Lt. on March 3rd 1955 . His first duty assignment was at Lackland AFB, Texas . He also served in Hawaii , Japan & Guam. He was Honorably discharged, from active duty on January 20th, 1957 . He transferred & was stationed at Kelly AFB, Texas , where he served with the Air Reconn Center in Denver , Co. in the Air Force Reserve. He was an Intel Comm Officer, in Intel Crypto. During his years of service in the Air Force, he was stationed at the HQ's of the 3595th Flying Training Wing at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas , Neveda. He was voted, Most popular Solo Vocalist. He also performed with an Air Force band & quartet during his time serving in Japan . He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. He also served in the Air Force Reserve. His duties ended upon his Honorable discharge on January 5th, 1960 .

He attended & graduated from St. Mary’s college located near Marion County, Kentucky in 1959, earning a B.A. in Philosophy. 

He met his bride-to-be; Rita Louise Baillio from Aleaxandria , La. , sometime after 1961, in the choir at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral. They were married on May 21st, 1965 , in Arlington , Va. , with Fr. Alphonse Rigouts presiding. They moved to & resided in Kensington , Maryland for one year. They then moved to Alexandria , La. , in 1967, where they remained till their deaths. They were married for 47 years till her death in January of 2012. He is survived by his Brother; Harold Riche’ 87 of Prairieville , La. , & 2 children. Christopher Scott Riche’ 48 of Alexandria , La. , & Stephanie Marie Riche’ 47 of Alexandria , La.  

Dad enjoyed singing & playing music in a band. He also enjoyed playing music with friends & relatives. He performed during the 1970s & 80s at Effie’s restaurant, in Alexandria , La. He was an accomplished tenor & loved singing in the church choir. He played the piano, an electric organ, acoustic & electric guitar. He attended St. Frances Cabrini Church & was a member of the Secular Carmelite Religious Order. He was Roman Catholic.

Dad was employed with Dresser Industries from 1972 till his retirement in 1994.

Submitted by Janet Ortego Geal, one of his many first cousins.

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