GRANIER
Wildcat legend, Richard “Dickie” Granier, passed away Wednesday, April 12, 2023 two days short of his 81st birthday. In 1965, the St. James High School Fathers Club retired Richard 'Dickie' Granier’s jersey #50 by unanimous consent in a letter sent to his LSU dorm by Western Union for the honors brought to his school and community. Dickie was St. James High’s first ever jersey retiree which was recommentated on September 13, 2019 at our new school location in “Beautiful Downtown” Vacherie. The All-State Center was a catalyst in the St. James running game leading the Wildcats to its first State Championship in 1959.
The son of Mr. Joseph and Lelia Granier of St. James, “Dickie” grew up near Tip Top Store. Dickie left High School ranked the number one center in the South and was the best athlete out of St. James at the time. Richard started at Center on the North Team for the annual North-South All Star Football contest featuring top gridders from throughout the state. Recruited heavily by Southeastern, Tulane, LSU, and Mississippi Southern, he signed with LSU on a 4-year scholarship and became the first-string center on the freshman team in 1960. As a junior, he quickly established himself as a stalwart for the Tigers earning a starting role at center and captain of the nation’s seventh ranked team. He anchored an offensive line which enabled his team to compile a 15-6-1 record and trips to successive postseason bowl games, the 1962 Orange Bowl and the 1963 Bluebonnet Bowl. In 1964, the 210lb LSU senior was named Team Captain, Team MVP, All SEC and AllAmerican leading LSU to the Sugar Bowl defeating Syracuse 13-10 on New Years Day. At the close of his career at LSU, Richard “Dickie” Granier was chosen as Permanente Team Captain. Granier joined 47 other players in the 19th annual post season invitational Hula Bowl at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. Richard played for the Hammond Eagles of the Texas Professional League. On October 17, 2014, LSU hosted a 50th reunion of the 1965 Sugar Bowl team where Richard “Dickie” Granier was represented as “Guest Captain”. On September 13, 2019 St. James High School.
#THDE, #LeaveALegacy Richard was an LSU Tiger throughout his life and especially on game day he was all purple and gold.
He settled in Colorado and married Jolene Cassa, an elementary school teacher, 42 years ago. Richard was an independent business owner and retired in 2001. Richard and Jolene never had children of their own, however they became Uncle Dickie and Auntie Weenie to Jolene’s sister’s daughter Ashley and son Deon Drefke. His Catholic Faith sustained and comforted him throughout his life and in death. Everyone he met and knew recognized him as the epitome of the term “Good Guy”. He will be sorely missed.
Richard’s wife, Jolene Cassa-Granier, passed away in 2022. He is survived by his siblings; Jay Granier and David Granier, Janet Boza and Juanita Quaid, and, numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2023 11:00 a.m. at Spirit of Christ Church 7400 W. 80th Ave., Arvada, CO 80003. Reception to follow. Committal service Mt. Olivet Cemetery 12801 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033 at 2:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Spirit of Christ Church in Richard’s name.
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