Lawrence Artillus “Larry” McGuire, 98, a resident of Franklinton, died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2016, at the Ochsner Medical Center.

He was a native of Kansas before serving his country as a U.S. Army soldier during World War II and the Korean War. Larry later sold maritime insurance while residing in the New Orleans area for many years.

He and his wife Claire have lived in Washington Parish for 30 years, where they have been active with various community groups, while also being active members of Holy Family Catholic Church. Larry was a proud veteran and was involved with the American Legion as well as the Rotary Club and Chamber organizations and the Riverside Medical Center Board.

Each year, Larry volunteered his time to the Washington Parish Free Fair, especially the Mile Branch Settlement, where the couple were previously Mile Branch Honorees and also recognized as fair parade marshals. Larry and Claire were also honored as Franklinton Citizens of the Year in 2008 for their commitment to our community.

Larry is survived by: his wife of 35 years, Claire Gaudet McGuire; three children, Maxwell McGuire, Dennis McGuire and Mary McGuire; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Joseph and Berta McGuire, and Jesse McGuire; a sister and brother-in-law, Eileen and Robert Orcutt; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Seldon Boudreaux, Mary Gaudet Breland, Phillip Saleeby, and Irby and Marcia Gaudet; nieces, nephews and their spouses, Keith and Annette Boudreaux, Janet Michot and David, Dale and Cindy Boudreaux, Jennifer and Craig Haynes, Irby and Brenda Gaudet, Matt and Daphne Gaudet, Allison and David Trawick, Luke and Alison Saleeby, Johanna and Jeff Mabray, Billy Breland, Michael Breland, Robert Breland; and also numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph McGuire and Ruth Moon McGuire; five brothers, Roger, Clarence, Cecil, Wayne and Donald McGuire; sisters-in-law, Malita McGuire and May Gaudet Saleeby; and brother-in-law, Billy Breland.

Visitation was at Crain Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 12, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a rosary and prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue Saturday at Holy Family Catholic Church from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. A funeral Mass will be held in the church at 11 a.m. Saturday with Father Peter Hammett officiating. The U.S. Army will perform military honors following the service. Burial will be in the St. Joseph’s Abbey Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the Holy Family Catholic Church Building Fund or the Riverside Medical Center Foundation.

Honorary pallbearers are members of the American Legion, Franklinton Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce, Riverside Medical Center board of directors and staff, Paul Herbert, Rodney Ball, Keith Waddell, Roy Richard and Horace Williams.

Obituaries can be viewed online at www.crainfh.com.