Michael Duane Bergeron

Duane was one of the original co-founders of CYPHACON and also helped with their media relations. He was an instrumental part of bringing CYPHACON to fruition. Along with his other duties as a staff member, he hosted many panels over the past decade. If you had the honor of meeting him, you know he had a big heart and loved to see his community come together for an event that he loved so much. His lifetime accomplishments speak for themselves.

He was a lifelong resident of Sulphur and a fan of Star Trek and other science fiction productions for over 50 years. He graduated from Sulphur High School in 1975 and McNeese State University in 1983 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. He found his calling when he obtained a job at the Southwest Daily News in 1987 as a reporter. The work at the Daily News commenced a journalism career that has spanned over 29 years and resulted in working various media jobs.

In 1999 he became one of the very few journalists in the Lake Charles media market to work in both print and electronic media simultaneously. He branched out into radio beginning with station KAOK broadcasting news. From there he spent two years in the news department at Cumulus Media from 2007-2009. Bergeron was the film review columnist at the Lake Charles based Lagniappe Magazine and has contributed feature articles spanning over 20 years with the publication. He was a writer for the newly created online magazine Exposure where he specialized in general features and coverage of athletics for McNeese State. In radio was a member of the board operations staff for Town Square Media having started there in 2013. Bergeron was also affiliated with Sports Radio 1310 AM KEZM in Sulphur and held the title of news/sports director.

With close friend Stuart Griggs, Bergeron co-founded The Calcasieu Area Trekkers Society in 1994. In 2011 the Trekkers Society became an affiliate of Starfleet International under the name of the U.S.S. Lafitte, which was originally the club’s mascot starship.

Survivors include his brother, John Ray Bergeron and his fiance', Patsy Lyons of Dallas, Texas; his sister, Lee Faris and husband, Frank of Tucson, Arizona; nephew, Gregory Gerod Bergeron and wife, Lori of Dallas, Texas; niece, Candace Ann Bergeron Spinney and husband, Mark of Lewisville; and great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father, Paul Bergeron; his mother Yvonne Daigle Bergeron; and a sister, Lana Marie Bergeron.

A Memorial Mass in his honor will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church in Sulphur. The Rev. Michael Beverung will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his name to the charity of your choice. Words of comfort and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.