Earl Joseph Guidry

Earl Joseph Guidry, Sr., age 58, went home, to be with his Lord and Savior, on Monday, September 1, 2008. Mr. Guidry was born with heart defects which resulted in a lifelong battle of serious cardiac and pulmonary disorders. With the help of various medical professionals, support of family and close friends, a strong determination, and quiet faith, Mr. Guidry lived life to the fullest. The last, couple of years, his health problems became harder to endure. Cardiac and pulmonary complications often resulted in numerous medical procedures, and long hospital stays. Chronic severe pain was a constant companion due to degenerative joint disease.
Originally a native of Louisiana, Mr. Guidry and his wife moved to Gulfport in 2001 and set up residence there.
Mr. Guidry was of the Baptist faith and on more than one occasion spoke with his nephew, Preacher Thomas Hogan of St. Amant, La. about salvation through our Lord and Savior. More recently, during a hospital stay, Mr. Guidry met Pastor Levi Helmuth of Peace Baptist Chruch and through counsel and prayer received assurance of his salvation. Mr. Guidry's wife, sons, and other family members and close friends take comfort in knowing that Mr. Guidry had assurance of salvation.
Mr. Guidry was an avid LSU fan. He loved sports and found great pleasure in coaching and umpiring when his sons were growing up. You could always find at one of the boys' baseball, football, basketball or soccer games.
Earl had a great sense of humor and had a passion for making people laugh. He never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. His unique command of the English language and mispronunciation of words often resulted in looks of disbelief and chuckling. Mr. Guidry would laugh harder than anyone and was always a good sport about it.
He loved his family and many friends, and also had a special fondness for his cat Sugar-Baby, dog Ranger, and other pets. He adored movies, especially John Wayne and westerns. He loved all genres of music, especially Cajun and South La. tunes. He loved to eat and loved good home cooking and foods prepared by his wife and by Aunt Rita. Mr. Guidry was proud of his French heritage and liked nothing better than to """"pass a good time""""!
Mr Guidry was an extremely hard worker and before disability worked at several different occupations, his favorites, being an EMT, Derrick man, and professional over-the-road truck driver.
He is preceded in death by his loving mother, Margaret Rowena Burns and his father, Edward Guidry. He is survived by his devoted wife Mary Louise Guidry, of 36 years and two wonderful sons, Earl Joseph Guidry, Jr of Baton Rouge, La. and Ryan Michael Guidry of Gonzales, La. and a dear daughter-in-law, Ryan's wife, Bethany Guidry. Mr. Guidry also leaves behind a niece Tiffany Guidry, of Louisiana.
Many of Mr. Guidrys' favorite family members include, a nephew, Thomas Hogan, his wife Sherry and their children Ashley, Heather, Ruth, and toddler, Thomas. Also loved by Mr. Guidry is the Beaver family of Saucier, including parents April and Owen Beaver and their three sons, Caleb, Jacob, and Jr. Mr. Guidry loved visiting with Aunt Rita and ML Perkins of Pass Christian where he and Uncle ML would swap jokes and tall tales. Mr. Guidry enjoyed talking and laughing with Uncle Roy Malley. Sister-in-laws, Peggy Raysome and Joyce Simmons of Gonzales, and brother in laws, Samuel Gonzales of North Carolina, Teddy Gonzales of Gonzales, La. are other family members that had a special place in Mr. Guidry's heart. Dearest friends include Mel-Anne Scott and Helen Lee of Saucier, Ms., Iona Whitehead and her children, Brittany and Dillon also of Saucier, and Mr. Guidry's neighbor and football buddy, Robert (Bob) Long of Gulfport, Ms. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at Peace Baptist Church, 15385 John Clark Road, Gulfport, MS 39503, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Anyone preferring memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, should make them to the American Heart Association, 440 East Pass Road, Gulfport, MS 39507, or to the Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501. The Riemann Family Funeral Home, 11280 Three Rivers Road in Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. For more information, please call (228)539-9800.