Richard/Ricky "Rap" Durapau Jr., a resident of Loranger, Louisiana and a native of New Sarpy, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond at the age of 71. He was born on August 19, 1947 the son of the late Richard "Black" Durapau Sr. and the late Dorothy "Dot" Nicholas Durapau. Rap was a proud U.S. Army veteran who served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War. He was an accomplished artist and carpenter, and the former owner of Rap's Place Bar in Ponchatoula. Rap will be sadly missed and forever loved.
Rap is survived by his wife, Danelle Watts; daughter, Shannen Durapau Rouse and husband Dondi Duplessie; son, Ryan Durapau and wife Elizabeth Lyon Durapau; 4 granddaughters; 1 grandson on the way; 2 great granddaughters; 2 loved step daughters, Erika Watts, and Rachel Watts Sanders and husband Juan Sanders; 1 loved step great granddaughter; 3 sisters, Donna, Debby, and Lisa; 1 brother, Denny; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Family and friends will be received at Harry McKneely & Son Funeral Home, 100 W. Magnolia St. Ponchatoula, Louisiana 70454, on Monday, April 22, 2019 from 12:00 pm until the funeral service begins at 2:00 pm.
Interment will follow at Ponchatoula Cemetery in Ponchatoula, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
An on-line guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.
