Andrew Jules (Sonny) Larriviere Jr. | Beresford Funeral Home (2024)

Andrew Jules (Sonny) Larriviere Jr. went to be with our Lord in Heaven on June 25, 2024 at the age of 96. Sonny was born in Broussard, Louisiana on December 22, 1927 to Andrew Jules (Boone) Larriviere Sr. and Lucille Bernard Larriviere. He was the second oldest child, with one older sister and three younger brothers, as well as three younger sisters. He was Baptized into the Catholic faith on December 26, 1927 at Sacred Heart Church in Broussard. Sonny married his Saint Cecilia high school sweetheart, Betty Gondron, on May 29, 1948, in Broussard. They moved from Louisiana to Pasadena, Texas in the early 1950’s where they had three children, Janet Donna Larriviere, Patrick Andrew Larriviere and Andrea Julie Larriviere.

Sonny and Betty were raised and lived as devout Catholics and were among the founding members of St. Hyacinth Catholic Church in Deer Park, Texas. While Betty worked as Church secretary for many years, Sonny served on the board of the Parish Men’s Club.

Sonny served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1947 and was stationed in Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Arthur Middleton. After his active-duty period Sonny spent seven more years in the Naval Reserve. Following active military service and because he had previously worked at Gossen Funeral Home in Rayne, Louisiana, Sonny enrolled and graduated from Landig Mortuary College in Houston, Texas.
Sonny never pursued a career in the funeral business but instead turned his love of automobiles and his winning smile into a career that spanned nearly 50 years as a salesman, sales manager, and fleet manager for a major auto dealership in Houston. Sonny’s gregarious personality saw him excel in his chosen career and also drew many people into his and Betty’s life. Surrounded by friends, the family often took camping and boating trips on the lakes and rivers around Houston and central Texas. Sonny was an avid outdoorsman and taught everyone in the family, and anyone willing to learn, how to water ski. Sonny was also exceptionally talented with his hands and his skills as an automobile mechanic were only overshadowed by his skill at carpentry. Many of the dining room tables, side tables, Adirondack chairs, side benches, porch benches and porch swings that Sonny made are still used by his children and grandchildren. Sonny loved people and because of his good humor, winning smile and willingness to help, everyone loved Sonny.

Sonny was a good and faithful husband, a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather, a good friend who would stand by you, and a good man, who was humble in his manner and steadfast in his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sonny is survived by his children Janet Larriviere Smith and her spouse Patrick (Rusty) Smith, Patrick Larriviere and his spouse Lisa Willbanks Larriviere, and Andrea Larriviere Reinert and her spouse Tom Reinert. He is also survived by his siblings Alfred Larriviere, Odette Larriviere Lagneaux, John Larriviere, and Ann Larriviere Hoffpauir.

Sonny & Betty have eight grandchildren: Aaron Smith and spouse Ashley, Jacob Smith and spouse Samantha, Adrienne Trimble and spouse Tyler, Dayna Willbanks and spouse Trey, Jenna Comer and spouse Chris, Cole Willbanks and spouse Kaylee, Nicholas Reinert, and Emily Reinert. They also have twelve great grandchildren: Taylor Smith, Brody Smith, Joslyn Trimble, Dillon Trimble, Evan Trimble, Claire Willbanks, Parker Holloway, Raegan Willbanks, Rhett Comer, Croix Comer, Layken Comer and Charlie Willbanks.

Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Gondron Larriviere, his parents Andrew Jules Larriviere Sr. and Lucille Bernard Larriviere as well as his siblings, Clara Larriviere Thomas, Joseph Larriviere and Lucille (Tookie) Larriviere Patin.