Dorestan L. Bruce "Bruce" Broussard

Dorestan L. “Bruce” Broussard died Sunday, June 17, 2012 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont Texas surrounded by his family. He was born on February 1, 1924 in Creole to Joseph Broussard and Euphemie Richard Broussard the youngest of eight children. He was a native of Cameron before moving to Sweetlake several years ago. He was a member of a pioneer Cameron Parish family. He attended school through the ninth grade at which time he was forced to return home to work on the family farm. As a child, he helped plant and harvest several fields of crops and rows of vegetables.

Besides his family and his church, his greatest loves in life were tending his garden, mowing the lawn, and traveling. He picked countless fruits and vegetables in his garden-many of which he shared freely with family and friends. He traveled thousands of miles across the United States and saw many beautiful places. He was famous for his beautiful gardens and perfectly manicured lawns. He especially enjoyed eating ice cream with his great nieces and nephews during their stays with him on their summer school breaks. He always opened his home in Sweetlake to his family and friends who lived in lower Cameron Parish when evacuations for hurricanes or tropical storms were ordered.

He was inducted in to the United States Army, on February 11, 1943 and entered active service on February 18, 1943, serving in the 194th Field Artillery Battalion. He was a veteran of World War II, serving our country in Normandy, France; Rhineland; and Central Europe. He was twice wounded in battle. He was awarded several medals, including the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory Medal. He departed France on November 23, 1945 and arrived back in the United States on December 13, 1945. He was honorably discharged from Camp Shelby, Mississippi on December 20, 1945.

He was a survivor of Hurricane Audrey in 1957 and helped his family rebuild in its aftermath. He was the owner of Rogers Grocery in Cameron for many years until Hurricane Rita in 2005. He also worked for the Cameron Parish School Board. He was a former member of Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church of Cameron and a current member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Big Lake. He was awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal of the Roman Catholic Church. It is known as the "Cross of Honor" and is given for distinguished service to the church by lay people and clergy. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the papacy. He was a perfectionist, kind, generous, and loving man who took great pride in his church, his family and his neighbor. He prayed daily. He lived a long and happy life. He was greatly loved and will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his sister, Mayola Broussard Wicke of Sweetlake; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces and great-great nephews all of whom he looked at and loved like his own and to whom he was lovingly known as “Uncle TT”, and his special friend, caretaker, and traveling companion, Velma Fruge of Big Lake and her family. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Alberta “PU” Conner Broussard, his parents, grandparents, three brothers, Armelin Broussard, Levan Broussard and Ferdinand Broussard and three sisters, Lucia Broussard Bonsall, Edwina Broussard Rutherford and Ledia Broussard Theriot.

His funeral will be 3pm, Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Creole. Father Timothy Goodly will officiate. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Church Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 2pm-9pm at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles with a rosary at 6pm and resume Wednesday, 8am- 1pm at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Uland Guidry, Robert Silver, Jerome Rutherford, Jeffery Boudreaux, Loston McEvers and T-Man Racca. Honorary Pallbearers will be Olan Saltzman, Marion Primeaux, and Terry Rutherford.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Elizabeth Hospital for the care, comfort, and kindness provided to their loved one and to the family during the final day of Mr. Broussard’s life. Words of comfort may be shared with the family a www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.