July 24, 1945 – November 15, 2021
Ralph R. Longman Jr., a lifelong resident of Franklin, passed away in the evening hours of Monday, November 15, 2021, following a brief battle with cancer. Born on July 24, 1945 in Ville Platte, he was the only child of Ralph R. Longman Sr. and Ruth Levy Longman, both of whom preceded him in death.
Ralph graduated from Franklin Senior High School in 1963 and the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1968, where he received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with Minors in English and Psychology. Ralph was a sugarcane farmer his entire life. He was an active member of his community, serving as a member of the St. Mary Parish School Board, the Atchafalaya Basin Levee Board, the American Sugarcane League, St. Mary Sugar Co-op, Franklin Jaycees, St. Mary Parish 4-H Fair Association, and a charter member of Belleview Golf and Country Club. He served as President of the Franklin Lion’s Club from 2002 to 2004 and was currently on the Board of Commissioners of the Port of West St. Mary, serving as President in 2014 and 2015. He was an avid golfer, loved his dogs, enjoyed feeding the birds in his backyard, and spent time in the New Orleans French Quarter as often as possible. He made a great Old Fashioned and served as bartender for all family events. He will be missed by many lifelong friends.
Those he leaves to cherish his memory include his wife of 49 years, Martha Arcement Longman; four daughters, Marie Longman Cole and her husband David, Catherine Longman Viator and her husband Ryan, Elizabeth Longman Mayfield and her husband J.D., and Anne Longman Watkins and her husband Brent; eight grandchildren, Christine Andrus and her husband Jarrod, Chandler Viator and her husband Dusty, Amelia Viator, Sadie Viator, Anthony Longman, Caroline Mayfield, Levi Watkins, and Grant Watkins; and four great grandchildren, Mason Andrus, Emma Andrus, Luke Andrus, and Charli Viator.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 19, 2021, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Baldwin during a 12:00 noon Mass of Christian Burial. Following the Mass he will be laid to rest in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Father Christopher Cambre will be the Celebrant for the Mass and conduct the services. Serving as pallbearers will be David Cole, Ryan Viator, J.D. Mayfield, Brent Watkins, Bobby Hamlin, and Jean Paul Lamaison.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Ibert’s Mortuary in Franklin. Visiting hours will resume Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the church, with the Holy Rosary being prayed at 11:00 a.m., led by Deacon Gerald Bourg and Deacon Richard Picard.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that contributions be made to PKS Kids, https://www.pkskids.net, 269-967-7175, PO Box 12211 Green Bay, WI 54307.
Family and friends may view the obituary online by visiting www.iberts.com and are encouraged to share their condolences, cherished memories, love, and support for the family.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Ibert’s Mortuary, Inc., 1007 Main Street, Franklin, LA 70538, (337) 828-5426.