My Hero has gone to Heaven

Larry Joseph Poche Sr.
Born Apr 15, 1929 in New Orleans Louisiana
Died Dec 27, 2007 in Prairieville Louisiana

Dad passed away suddenly in his home at the age of 78.

Dad proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and also a term in Germany and retired after 20 years as a Military Police Officer. Once returning stateside he began his 2nd career as a Electrician and retired from local 102.

He was a devoted member of St. Marks Catholic church in Gonzales. The Rev Joel LaBauve spoke fondly of Dad being a active member .
He was Entombed at the Hope Haven Cemetery in Gonzales close by his grandson Joey Arceneaux.

He leaves behind his Daughters Jenny, Teri, Jeannette
Sons Larry Jr.,Melvin, Randy
Sister Yolanda
and beloved Wife Mabel Hernandez Poche

He joins his Mother & Father Ambrose & Hattie Poche, three Brothers, Three Sisters and grandson Joey in Heaven.

Dad loved life and loved enjoying it! He cherished time with his family and loved being in his garden and growing things in the yard.
He loved watching football and watched every LSU game
He loved hunting & fishing
His favorite Restaurant was J Alexander's in Baton Rouge and loved the Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce. He loved it when Mom Mabel would cook his favorite meal of Seafood Gumbo.

His favorite color was Blue and he made sure his casket was blue and it was beautiful that he had picked out earlier should the time come when it was time to go home.

His favorite vacation was in Branson Missouri when Jenny & Dan got married in 1994, he was on cloud 9 that he could walk his Daughter down the aisle to be married to Dan.

He loved old Western movies and reading sporting goods magazines.

Many people came up to me from the funeral and told me how fond they were of Dad, he was loved by alot of people because he was a kind man that would help anyone in need. His co-workers said that if there was something heavy to be moved they would ask Dad to help and he would and they could not believe how strong he was.
Because of that strength we often got big Bear hugs ! He loved to laugh and always had a smile and wasn't afraid to shed a tear.
He loved to challenge us at Dominoes game when we came to visit. He looked forward to our visits and never wanted us to leave. He loved to go dancing before his health started to fade.

Because of his passing it has put a huge hole in my heart and I miss him SOOOO much!!
I know he is watching over me now though .
He was my Rock and he will be missed.
Love you Dad!!

Dad was a avid fisherman and hunter, he always enjoyed going up to the camp and hunt each year. When his health started fading I could tell he missed being outdoors hunting .

Larry Poche on the right




Dad was a Military Police Officer for 20 yrs in the U.S. Army. He was also a firefighter.




He served two tours of Korea and one tour of Germany.

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars showing respect to dad at the cemetery.

Dad was a Lifetime member of the American Legion Post 81

Dad serve 2 tours of duty in Korea and one tour in Germany .

Color Guard at the cemetery, they did a 21 gun salute to Dad to honor his 20 yrs as a Military Police Officer.

Father & Daughter

Larry Poche Sr & Jenny Poche Sheppard

I love this photo of Dad and I taken in 1991, uncanny how much Dad and I look alike and how much we really are alike! I'm just a chip off the old block and love it!

Dad looks real healthy here and so handsome!

Dad and I really enjoyed being together and always cried when we had to say good-bye. We always thanked God for helping us find each other again. I always enjoyed his stories of long ago and he always followed me along of my trips on his maps. He use to love to RV too.

We treasured the Sundays we could be in church together, Dad was a devoted Catholic and never missed church unless he was sick and the church members would come to him and he would always watch the Mass on TV.

I really love my Dad!!

Uncle Roy Hernandez

I love my Uncle Roy!

Uncle Roy is my step-Mother's Brother and he made sure Dad had a full Military Honor Funeral by calling the Governor's office!!

Uncle Roy was also a Retired police Officer

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS !
We hope that everyone is having a wonderful Christmas with friends and family this year.
It seems so strange being away from our families this year. I miss hugging and giggling with the grand kids and also hugging my own kids. I miss getting my hugs from my Mom & Dad!! I guess you can tell I miss hugs!!

Christmas Eve we were invited to go to dinner and exchange presents with our next door neighbors Earl and Sandy to a friend of Sandys. Had a nice time and a great dinner. Called the kids and grand kids to wish them a Merry Christmas. Afterwards I took the Jeep over to 55th street to walk up and down the street and marvel at all the lights again....I just can't get enough of that street! Maybe it's because I saw Santa there!

Christmas Day we went to Terry & Bob Wiggins , who live behind us for Christmas dinner, there were nine of us enjoying a yummy feast. Terry spoils us and made us feel like family so we had a great day.

As much as we are having fun this Christmas I do miss my family and friends dearly back home.
We also have sadness during this time too. Dan lost a Metro friend Doyle "Don" Cook on Sat 22nd. We went to see him on Fri 21st and he was chatting up a storm with all his Yuma Metro friends while he was in the hosp and then passed away the next day. Don will be very missed here in Yuma AZ.
Also my Nephew Grayson is not doing well and my Father Larry Poche is very ill too so please keep them in your prayers at this time.

The Foothills Christmas Parade

We got to see such a treat on Wednesday 19th & Thursday 20th when the Foothills Christmas parade came past our block. Wed night all my photo's were blurred because the parade went by so quick so the next day I made sure I had it on a different setting to capture all the fun at a different area and also got it on video!

It was a bit chilly but really felt like Christmas!
Here watching the parade are our next door neighbors
L to R
Laurie Richardson, Sandy Estes, Earl Estes and Dan

It was really cool to see how people had decorated up their Dune Buggies, golf carts, cars. One guy came through with a big truck and needless to say everyone did not like him honking his air horn on the truck!!
Christmas music yes...air horn NO!!
It all started 20 years ago so that if the people could not get out to see all the Christmas lights , a bunch of people started to decorate their dune buggies and go through the neighborhoods and go to them!
Anyone can join in and be in the parade and we have police escorts. Dan and I are itching to do it too next year! I'm already thinking how to decorate the Jeep hee-hee-hee.

We liked this old car and then you get to see the blurred view of it below.

Had the camera on the wrong setting and the cars were going down the road too fast to get a good shot but I loved how this turned out!

Here comes the Reindeers!
Don & Lynn Kneebone in the dune buggy behind them.

Lynn & Don Kneebone
We were watching the parade of Dune Buggies, golf carts go by us and did not realize till I got home that I took a photo of our friends in the parade!

Hum this does not look like a Reindeer! This was "Bubba" the 55th street greeter and he had lollipops in his pack. Love the lights on him!

What do you do when there's no snow in the desert to make a Snowman?
You make one out of tumbleweeds! Loved this Snowman!

Happy Birthday Chris!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CHRIS
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!
AND MANY MORE!

Just wanted to wish my Sister Chris a Happy Birthday!
We Love You!!
Wish we could be there with you.

Bathroom decor arrived

Hooray we have a Southwest Bathroom now, looks great!

It's Looking alot like Christmas!

Jenny standing next to the casita, The Purr~Fect Retreat is all decorated for Christmas.

Dan had to have his Bah-Humbug sign up so I bought him the Grinch to go with it!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

T'was The Night Before Christmas

A tradition was started on 55th Street down in the Foothills that they would do T'was The Night Before Christmas. Lots were lit up to the max and the story was printed in front of some of the lots. Everyone comes out to this street each Christmas now.
We also have a parade that will go down near our home, our neighbor Terri will be in the parade with the "Red Hat" gals.

I cannot believe how people go all out for Christmas decorations here!!

Both sides of the street are all lit up for the "T'was The Night before Christmas "tradition.

This lot was decorated BIG TIME even the drummer boys out front moved!

All lit up and pretty

Carousel in the yard of one of the homes with the " T'was The Night Before Christmas" theme .

This house was all decked out in lights, inflatables and even had it looking like snow was falling on the house with a disco light.