RIP "Big Head"

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Damn, I hope the place stays open. It was a hidden gem with great food

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James Ray “Bighead” Smith was born March 24, 1946. He was a resident of Baton Rouge and the owner/operator of town favorite and local icon Hawk’s Nest for 50 years. He was a graduate of Lee High School, Class of 1964; a member of Local 995 Brotherhood of Electricians; and spent 6 years in the Army Reserves. An electrician by trade, restaurant owner and operator by choice, he was a jolly man full of opinions and random knowledge, jack of all trades, and never met a stranger. He would talk your ear off. If you met him, you remember him. He was a loving son, husband, dad, grandfather and friend. A collector of cars, boats and antiques. Ray leaves behind an impression on our hearts and will be sorely missed. We love you Ray, we will miss your random conversations, your opinions and the doughnuts your brought to Austin and Bryce every Sunday Morning. Rest in Peace, “Bighead.” He leaves behind his wife of 45 years, Trudy Kahn Smith; mother Ivy Rose Ory Smith; daughter Jaime Smith Sims; son-in-law Jeffrey Sims; grandsons Austin & Bryce Sims; son Kyle Smith; daughter-in-law Chela Smith, grandson Luke Smith; granddaughter Paige Smith; brother Wiley Smith; sister Anne Smith Webb; nephew Rob Webb; and niece Eden Webb Thomas; Godchildren Landon Webb, Erinn Sala, Tracey Mathis and Jennifer Efferson Walker. Preceded in death by his father John Bruce Smith. Pallbearers: Dennis Bourgeois, Gary Bourgeois, Kyle Smith, Joshua Mathis, Jeffrey Sims, Clay Cazes; and an endless host of honorary pallbearers. Funeral Home Visitation will be Monday, January 8th, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Boulevard, Baton Rouge, La., from 5pm to 8pm. Visitation continues Tuesday January 9, 2018, at St Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, from 9am until Mass of Christian burial at 11am. Burial immediately following the service at St George Catholic Church Cemetery, 7808 St George Drive (off of Siegen Lane), Baton Rouge.

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I grew up eating and drinking at the original Hawk’s Nest on Lobdell Avenue across from then the Downtown Airport, now Independence Park. I can’t tell you how many Hawks Nest shrimp remoulade’s I have had in my lifetime.

Sad.

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