Ronald Lewis Bovard

"Passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at Baton Rouge General.  He is survived by: his cherished wife, Barbara; beloved son and daughter-in-law, Daryn and Kelli Bovard; treasured grandchildren, Hope, Lex and Crawford Bovard; and bonus grandchildren Anna-Kate and Cooper Alligood. Other loving survivors include: his sisters, Bobbie (Bill) Weeks, Mary (Johnny) Yoches, and Margaret (Larry) Pugsley; brothers, Harry (Susan) Bovard and John Bovard; and endearing nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Vivian Brown Bovard, and sister-in-law Josie Bovard.  A wake will be held at Rabenhorst Downtown on Friday, Nov. 16 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, concluding with a recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 pm. Visiting will resume on Saturday, Nov. 17 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Michael Moroney at 1:00 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date in Magnolia Cemetery where he will be the fourth generation Bovard to be interred.  Following graduation from Catholic High School in 1956 he entered a newly-founded religious order Sons of Mary Missionary Society in Framingham MA as a religious brother. After serving in the community eight years he returned to Baton Rouge where shortly after he met the love of his life Barbara Bourgoyne to whom he was married 50 years last July. As a teenager he was a show stopping jitterbug dancer and years later he and Barbara enjoyed 25 years of square dancing. He was employed in local chemical industries followed by Gulf States Utilities/Entergy from which he retired. He was a committed devotee of St. Alphonsus Parish perpetual adoration chapel and bringing Holy Communion to the home bound. He was also active in local pro-life ministries, and was a 32-year annual retreatant at Manresa House of Retreats.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity or ministry of choice. His favorites were Woman's New Life Center, 760 Colonial Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, and international food and medical assistance organizations serving the poor.