Hixson Welsh

10/06/2026

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/welsh-la/shirley-trahan-13062572

Celebrate the life of Shirley Trahan, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Hixson Welsh.

10/01/2026

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/welsh-la/hatsuko-fredericks-13057589

Celebrate the life of Hatsuko Fredericks, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Hixson Welsh.

09/24/2026

🎉 Please join us in congratulating Chastity Domingue! 🎉

We are excited to announce that Chastity has passed her Louisiana State Board Exam and is now a Licensed Funeral Director! ⚜️

We are incredibly proud of Chastity and all the hard work and dedication that went into reaching this milestone. Her compassion and commitment to serving families make her a wonderful part of our funeral home family.

Congratulations, Chastity! We are so proud of you and truly blessed to have you as part of our team at Hixson Funeral Homes! ❤️

09/12/2026

Our Telephones are back up. Thanks to All!

09/09/2026

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/welsh-la/cynthia-breaux-13029126

Celebrate the life of Cynthia Breaux, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Hixson Welsh.

08/23/2026

Well Deserved and Long Overdue Committal Honors for Gurnie “Tutie” Joseph Richard

08/21/2026

Finally home after 84 years.

08/21/2026

Please view the obituary and service information below for Stephen "Drew" Stanford.

Celebrate the life of Stephen Stanford, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Hixson Welsh.

08/20/2026

Gurnie “Tutie” Joseph Richard — Sulphur, LA WWII POW

Gurnie “Tutie” Joseph Richard (August 27, 1920 – November 26, 1942) was a Vinton, Louisiana native and U.S. Army Air Forces Technician, Fifth Grade, who died as a prisoner of war in the Philippines during World War II.

Early life and service
Born to Lester and Louise Daigle Richard in Vinton, LA, Gurnie was a standout athlete, earning a spot on the 1935–36 Vinton High School football state championship team alongside his brother Burnie. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1940, serving with the 17th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group.

WWII captivity and death
Deployed to the Philippines in late 1941, Richard fought until the U.S. forces surrendered on April 9, 1942, after four months of resistance under harsh conditions. He endured the 65 mile Bataan Death March and was held at Cabanatuan POW Camp #1, where disease and malnutrition ravaged the camp. On November 26, 1942, he died at age 22 in the camp.

Memorial and homecoming
In 2026, after 84 years, Richard will be “brought home” for a memorial service and procession. The celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home, 2051 E. Napoleon St., Sulphur, LA, with visitation from 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Big Woods Cemetery in Edgerly, LA. The event will honor his sacrifice and invite veterans and community members to join in remembrance.

Family
He is survived by nieces Joy Singleton Parrott (Youngsville, LA) and Jane Ann Richard (Lake Charles, LA), along with extended family. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings Virgie Richard Singleton and Burnie J. Richard.

Honors
Louisiana Governor’s Office issued Executive Order JML 26800, recognizing his service and sacrifice, and noting that his remains were exhumed in 1946 but declared unrecoverable in 1949.

For service details, condolences, and updates, visit www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com and the Hixson-Sulphur Memorial page.

Visit Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home to start planning a funeral or cremation today. Contact us to learn how to plan for yourself or someone you love.

08/18/2026

Please join us as we bring another brave serviceman back home to Southwest Louisiana.