Richard Edward Whatley

“Precious in the sight of The Lord is the death of His saints."

Psalm 116:15

On February 25, 2026 the Lord pulled Ricky’s soul from the waters he loved fishing in. He was beside his boat in front of his camp at Toledo Bend. He was a true fisherman and also a “fisher” of men for his Lord, Jesus Christ.

Ricky’s life was not about himself. He accepted the challenge that our true purpose in life is to care for others during our time here. Maybe he wasn’t able to finish his bucket list, but he surely completed the mission that God had for him.

This is apparent in looking at how he served the church at St. Jude. Here is a sample list of his ministries.

1. 1.)Wednesday night community dinner.
2. 2.)Bereavement ministry.
3. 3.)Knights of Columbus- was recently awarded the 4th Degree Regalia sword.
4. 4.)Knights Lenten fish fries.
5. 5.)Eucharistic Minister for Assisted Living
6. 6.)Men’s Wednesday morning prayer group.
7. 7.)Helped relocate Priests to new assignments.
8. 8.)Super Saturday (cooking food for needy/elderly).
9. 9.)Volunteer maintenance/custodial service at St. Jude
10. 10.)Attended men’s ACTS retreat.
11. 11.)Team member for following ACTS retreats.
12. 12.)Annual fishing tournament fund raiser for funding a girl’s orphanage in Panama.
13. 13.)Environmental committee for seasonal decorating the church.
14. 14.)Go to guy for everything from moving cars and furniture to handyman work for whomever needed it.  You could always count on Ricky.

Ricky graduated from Alexandria Senior High in 1973. He founded Whatley Fence Company in Alexandria. He then went on to work for Federal Express for more than 20 years starting in Los Angeles, CA, and retiring in Shreveport, LA.

He loved fishing and hunting his entire life. After retiring he was able to travel. He took a trip with his sister to visit his nephew, Harry in Cape Town, South Africa. He took another trip with his brother to visit his nephew, Sim in New Zealand. And recently he had a great adventure volunteering for three months in Yellowstone National Park.

Ricky was preceded in death by his parents, Ray Allen Whatley and June Chauvin Whatley of Alexandria, LA.

He is survived by his siblings, Karen Whatley England of Baton Rouge , Ray A. Whatley, Jr. (Martha) of Covington, LA; stepdaughter, Emily Dawn Jones of Winthrop, ARK; nieces and nephews, Katherine England Kohnke (Matthew) of Mandeville, LA, Sarah Whatley Gamble (Matt) of Baton Rouge, LA, Harry Michael England, Jr. (Sarah) of Dubai (UAE), Natalie Atkinson (Matthew) of Auburn, ALA, Caroline Whatley (Erin) of Albuquerque NM, Sim Whatley II (Jill) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; many great nieces and nephews, and special friend, Sharon Jobron of Haughton, LA.

His family wishes to thank his St. Jude family, especially the Bereavement Committee. “We are grateful to Dianne Weber and Donna Hensel for coordinating his beautiful farewell.”

“He was as easy to love, as he was hard to lose.”

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 12, 2026 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Benton, LA. Visitation begins at 10 am, followed by the rosary at 11, and Mass beginning at 11:30 am. Burial will be held at a future date in Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery in Pineville, La.

Serving as Pallbearers are Ron Landry, Butch Santora, Randy Long and Tommy Lashney.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Knights of Columbus, Council #18108, Benton, La.