Robert “Bobby” Ray Montie, 84, of Welsh passed away Saturday, Aug. 9, 2023, at Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital, surrounded by his wife, sons, and family.
Bobby was born in Grand Lake on Aug. 14, 1939, to Wilson and Recia Vincent Montie. After his mother’s death when he was only thirteen, Horace and Wayne Montie played a significant role in raising him. Bobby graduated from South Cameron High School, then earned a bachelor’s degree in education from McNeese State College. After earning his degree, Bobby taught in Cameron Parish and made lasting impressions on the students he taught. Bobby then was employed by Shell Oil and retired as a Production Superintendent thirty-three years later.
On Nov. 18, 1961, Bobby married Glenda Derouen and they resided in Creole for approximately 45 years, then moved to the Derouen family home in Welsh where they have lived for the last eighteen years. Family gatherings, complete with at least two versions of gumbo, pork rib jambalaya, rice and gravy, mashed potatoes and gravy, and every dessert imaginable, very easily transitioned from Creole to Welsh. In fact, two full kitchens made the transition even easier. No gathering was complete without sons and daughters-in-law, grandchildren, fiancés, boyfriends, girlfriends, great-grandchildren, and family friends.
On horseback or in a hunting blind, Bobby enjoyed outdoor activities, particularly livestock shows and rodeos and tending to his cattle and horses. He worked cattle and built fences, bushhogged, baled hay, meticulously cut grass, planted incredible vegetable gardens, and handled whatever else needed to be done in Creole and Welsh. Once their grandchildren and later, great-grandchildren were old enough to participate in athletics, rodeos, dance recitals or whatever held their current interest, Bobby and Glenda followed them and cheered them on. If they attended a McNeese sporting event, so did at least one or more grandchildren. The most cherished attribute of Bobby Montie was his fierce love for his family.
One of Bobby’s skills for which he will long be remembered was meticulous notetaking, including detailed ledgers and records. No scorekeeper or statistician was needed, if Bobby was in the bleachers.
Left to cherish lifetimes of memories are Bobby’s devoted wife Glenda; sons Todd Montie and wife Angie of Sulphur, Mike Montie and wife Kimberly of Sweetlake, and David Montie and wife Darla of Grand Lake; grandchildren Marissa (Tyler) Hall, Melaina Montie (fiancé Callen), Darbi (Brayden) Wood, Mason Montie (Darren), Molli Montie (Ben), Kameron Montie (Angie), and Keaton Montie (Jordyn); great-grandchildren Camden, Adilyn and Blakley; sister Carolyn McDaniel and a host of nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Bobby was preceded in death by Wilson Montie, Recia Montie, Horace Montie and Wayne Montie.
Pallbearers will include Benny Kotara, Randy Kotara, Brady LaBove, Scott LaBove, Kameron Montie and Keaton Montie. Honorary pallbearers are Darren Benoit, Tyler Hall, Alex Kline, Steven Landry, and Brayden Wood.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 14, at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Lake Charles with burial following at the Sweetlake/Grand Lake Community Cemetery. Reverend Timothy Goodly and Reverend Alan Trouille will serve as Celebrants. Visitation was held on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Johnson Funeral Home, 4321 Lake Street, Lake Charles, from 5-9 p.m. with a rosary led by Catholic Daughters Court St. Katharine Drexel at 6 p.m. Visitation resumed on Thursday morning from 8:30-9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of the newest Montie great-grandchild, Blakely Claire, donations mailed to the Down Syndrome Association of SWLA, PO Box 4234, Lake Charles, LA, 70606, will gratefully be accepted in Bobby Montie’s memory.
(Paid Memorial)