Dr. Garfford J. Broussard

Dr. Broussard and his nine siblings grew up rich in love, if poor in material items. Born to tenant farmers in Maurice, Louisiana, Dr. Broussard was a twin to his brother, Clifford. At only 12 years old, he started a small dairy with his father, which soon grew large enough to support his family through the worst part of the Great Depression.

Later he attended Nederland High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. During his pre-dental studies at Lamar Junior College, he worked as a welder in the Port Arthur shipyards. Dr. Broussard went on to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas School of Dentistry while working as a barber at the Rice Hotel to pay for his education. After graduating in 1945, he became a Naval Officer stationed in Japan and China as a dentist. While in China, he would meet and marry the love of his life, Irene, only two years later.

A skilled inventor, educator and clinician, Dr. Broussard worked tirelessly to share his love of orthodontics with the world. One of his proudest moments came at the beginning of his career, when he first demonstrated the use of light elastic forces for tooth movement. Since then, hardly a child with crooked teeth has escaped those colorful rubber rings that hold everything together. This breakthrough served as a springboard for a career dedicated to educating others on the countless tools, techniques and theories he developed during clinical practice.

A highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Broussard regularly declined honoraria for his speaking engagements, instead choosing to profit from the immense community of friends and colleagues he gathered throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. His many contributions to the field of dentistry culminated in his receiving the 1992 Martin E. Dewey Memorial Award, one of the field’s highest honors. He is forever indebted to his twin brother, Dr. Clifford James Broussard, as well as his two lifelong friends and lecture partners, Dr. H. Richard Buck and Dr. George J. Shia, who motivated him to share his ideas, even when they seemed a little wild. Suffering from severe dyslexia, Dr. Broussard relied on these individuals to help him put his ideas to paper, whether for his lectures or for one of his numerous academic publications.

Dr. Broussard’s positive energy was unmatched. When at home in Houston, he and his twin brother ran two successful orthodontic clinics until Clifford’s retirement in 1984. Long before the government offered financial assistance, the Broussard twins made sure that anyone who needed treatment would get it. This often meant they’d provide services for free. Dr. Broussard continued to practice for another 30 years until this fall, only a few weeks prior to his 93rd birthday. Before that, he regularly commuted from Houston to Bryan and to Pasadena, where he treated underprivileged children from all over Texas.

“Dr. B.,” as he was so lovingly called by patients and staff, touched the lives of countless individuals over the years, inspiring many to earn university degrees, even some to become orthodontists like him. He was a strong force both in and out of the office, becoming a father figure to many of the children who didn’t have direction in life. He’d want all of us to know that you still better be wearing that retainer, even if he is no longer around to catch you without it.

A farmer from birth, Dr. Broussard’s fondest hobby was spending time in the garden with his wife. And what a garden it is. Surrounding a two story treehouse-like structure inspired by his travels to the Orient, his own little nursery provides a feast for the eyes and stomach alike. To the North, set among Texas river stone walls and lava rock pathways is an orchard of his beloved fruit trees. Tangerines, peaches, grapefruits, bananas, persimmons, loquats and oranges tower above rows of seasonal vegetables. The trees are planted right along the Memorial Drive fence line so that passersby can sample the produce. To the west are fig and kumquat trees set among ornamental gardens. To the East, untouched ravine leading to Buffalo Bayou. The southern side of the property is his wife’s domain, covered with exotic plants that mimic the vegetation of Asia and Hawaii. He once told his youngest daughter, Jennifer, “Your mom grows the pretty things. I grow the things you eat.”

Dr. Broussard spent so much time in the yard that his wife constantly fielded requests for his services, always politely responding that the older man was her husband and that he did not need another job. But they were always happy to help fellow Houstonians who dropped in for advice about anything related to horticulture.

The love that Dr. Broussard had for his career and hobbies is unparalleled by his love for family. A dedicated husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend, his greatest achievement was to see his whole family prosper through education. After graduating from dental school, the Broussard twins used their earnings to put their younger siblings through school. Two other brothers became dentists, one of them an orthodontist. Their only sister became a nurse, while another brother got a Ph.D. in Education. Three other brothers earned Bachelor’s of Science degrees. He then went on to put three beautiful daughters, Karen, Colleen and Jennifer, through school. Then came his four wonderful grandchildren. He made sure they had the same opportunities his daughters did.

Dr. Broussard is preceded in death by his parents Elodie and Eddie Broussard, his in-laws Zina Pashenkoff and John Vever, and his siblings Clifford, Laris Lee, Raymond, Genever and Fleton. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 67 years, Irene Vever Broussard, children Karen Broussard Marlow, Colleen Broussard Hudgens and Jennifer Ann Broussard. “Papaw” adored his grandchildren Kristian Marlow, Alexandra Hudgens, Nicholas Marlow and Hunter Hudgens. Dr. Broussard’s youngest brother, Roger, to whom he was extremely close, undoubtedly played a key role in all phases of his brother’s care. Roger’s support, positive energy, his loving care and his daily visits during the duration of his brother’s illness will certainly never be forgotten by our family. Thanks, Uncle Roger. We love you.

His family is eternally grateful to Maria “Josefina” Navarette, who has been a loving part of the family for 25 years, and to Alejandro Diaz, Dr. Broussard’s right hand in the garden. The family would also like to thank Kahler Biedenharn, Kasey Capwell, and Indira Gumerova for their support over the past few months.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from four o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Sunday, the 28th of December 2014 in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston, with recitation of the Holy Rosary to commence at six o’clock.

Funeral Service will be held at one o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 29th of December 2014 in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons.

The Rite of Committal will immediately follow, via an escorted cortege at Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery in Houston.

Pallbearers are his three grandsons, Kristian, Nick and Hunter, Michael “Micky” Branisa, Dr. R.J. “Joe” Broussard, Dr. Stephen L. Graham, Jan Josef Kalas and Jorge Alfredo Hakim Luna. Serving as honorary pallbearers are his four brothers, Rogers H. Broussard, Lessie “Pop” Broussard, Sexton E. Broussard, and Harris A. Broussard, James Clifford Broussard Jr., Dr. H. Richard Buck, Dr. George J. Shia, Francis Martin, II, Anthony B. Wood, Frank Bradley Ford, Andre Connan and Dr. Raymond A. McLendon.

The family extends a sincere and warm thank you to the brilliant team of doctors and nurses who genuinely cared for Dr. Broussard over the last few months.

Special recognition should be given to Dr. Broussard’s cardiologist, Dr. Oscar R. Rosales. Words cannot express the debt of gratitude owed for the strength and guidance he provided over the past 17 years. Memorial contributions may be directed in his honor to the Houston Center for Vascular Health (HCVH), 6400 Fannin St., Ste. 3000, Houston, TX 77030. HCVH is a nonprofit foundation dedicated to training physicians in the most current and innovative technologies in the treatment of vascular disease with a focus on underserved communities.

Dr. Broussard never met a stranger. From his extensive family, to the colleagues who worked alongside him, to the cars that honked and waved at him while working in his garden, Dr. Broussard will always be remembered for his utmost unselfish dedication to helping others. He once said, “When I leave this earth, I want to know that I have done something good, some small thing, a tiny dot, so that when I leave I know I have made the world a better place.” As we set out to leave our own dots, let Dr. Broussard’s legacy inspire all of us to spread the colors of love and charity through to the ends of this Earth.