Boyd Thomas Gautreaux

Boyd Thomas Gautreaux, born in Baton Rouge on January 19, 1931, passed from this life to the next on March 19, 2015.  He graduated from Catholic High School in 1950 and from LSU in 1955. His career in aeronautical engineering consisted of his work at Convair in Fort Worth, Texas, and his work at Northrop in Los Angeles, California. He returned to Louisiana in 1965 to begin his career in the space industry with Boeing at Michoud in New Orleans. There he worked on the booster rocket for the Apollo Mission. Boyd left Boeing to work on the space shuttle at White-Westinghouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Boyd and his family returned to Baton Rouge in 1971 where he embarked on a new career, Traffic Engineering at Bridge City, for the Louisiana Department of Highways. He retired in 1991. Boyd loved sports and played recreational baseball and basketball.  His interest in golf took him to many states with the Knights of Columbus International Golf Tournaments. He was an avid bowler, even organizing a team for Holy Family K.C. Council 9933 in Luling, where he was a member.  He is survived by his wife of 48 years: Regina Barcelona Gautreaux; two children: Anne Wagenecht&husband David of Baton Rouge, and Tom Gautreaux&wife Jan of Luling; four grandchildren: Reid and Rylee Gautreaux, and Annika and Allysa Wagenecht; three sisters-in-law: Lois Gautreaux of Baton Rouge, Therese Cush of Shreveport, and Monaca Reech&husband Ray of Baton Rouge; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Misrael Adam&Blanche Marie Gautreaux of Baton Rouge; brothers: A.J. Gautreaux of Baton Rouge, Vernon Gautreaux of Gonzales, and Charles Gautreaux of Baton Rouge.  Boyd enjoyed the company of the staff and clients at Charlie's Place, a Dementia facility providing day care.  He spent his last few months at Ollie Steele Burden Manor being cared for by their excellent staff.  Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, Tuesday from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Visitation will resume Wednesday at St. Patrick Catholic Church from 9:00am until the Mass of Christian Burial, conducted by the Rev. Matthew C. Dupre'.  Entombment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory Mausoleum.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to either: Charlie's Place, 3772 North Boulevard, Baton Rouge, La. 70806-3822 or Ollie Steele Burden Manor, 4250 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, La. 70809.