1924
Rodney L.
2009
Rodney L. Broussard
October 18, 1924 — April 19, 2009
Rodney was born, raised and spent his life in his beloved Gueydan. He gave four years of service to his country in World War II as a Navy cook stationed in Salem, Oregon. After his military discharge he returned home to marry his childhood sweetheart Dorothy Labry on September 18, 1946 and raise their three children. Not long after his discharge from the Navy he began working as a butcher for Marceaux's Grocery and a few years later for Bertrand's Meat Market. Always a dedicated family provider, Rodney took a second job as a Vermilion Parish school bus driver in 1950. After five years, Rodney and his wife Dorothy, or "Dot " as she is known to her friends, built and opened Dot's Drive Inn in May of 1962. For 12 years, Dot's Drive Inn served as a popular food establishment and social site "hangout" for many Gueydan residents during the 1960's and 70's.
Even outside of Dot's, Rodney was an avid cook who shared his cuisine with his friends and even cooked with a group from the Gueydan Duck Festival at the 1984 World's Fair in New Orleans. His love of food was only surpassed by his love of duck hunting which was legendary. He was known to start everyday of duck season with a trip to the duck blind, before driving his bus route and working at Dot's.
With the sale of Dot's in 1974, and his retirement in 1980 as a 30 year bus driver, he began his next career with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture in the brucellosis program. Many Vermilion parish residents and cattlemen will remember his visits to their farm, ranch, and backyard as he checked their cattle for the diseases. In 1999, when Rodney became disabled during his work with the Agriculture Department he again retired.
Rodney was a lifetime (and one of the founding) members of the Gueydan Duck Festival. In 1993 he and Dot were honored by the organization when they were named Gueydan Duck Festival Honorees. His devotion to his community was evident in many ways such as his charter membership in the Knights of Columbus 3055 Brother Andre Council and his constant willingness to donate blood, often at all hours of the day and night.
He spent the remainder of his time with his wife in pursuit of their joint pastime of motor home camping. Rodney and Dot were members of the Rice City Ramblers and Cajun Rebels camper groups and traveled with their friends and family throughout most of the United States, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and eastern Canada. They also enjoyed a cruise to Alaska and a trip overseas to France. His entire life was spent with a motto of working hard, playing hard and always being ready to listen to music and dance up a storm. Cajun/Zydeco music was his favorite, but Rodney would never pass up a chance to have a good time.
His legacy can be seen in the devotion and love of his family. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy L. Broussard of Gueydan; his two sons, William "Bill" Broussard and his wife Charlotte of Lafayette and Ricky Broussard and his wife Christine "Chris" of Milton; his daughter, Kathy B. Richard and her husband John "Johnny" A. Richard III of Abbeville; four grandchildren, Brian Broussard of Lakeland, Florida, Brad Broussard, BJ Broussard, and Sara B. Boudreaux, all of Lafayette; four great grandchildren, Araby, Gabriel, Taylan, and Ethan Broussard; and one brother, Paul C. Broussard of Lafayette.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Freddie and Egenia "Jane" Broussard; and his sister, Dolores B. Longon.
The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Vincent Funeral Home - Gueydan, 311 Fourth Street, on Thursday, April 23, 2009 from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m.; Friday, April 24, from 9 a.m. until the procession departs for the church.
The family would like to thank the gentle and loving caregivers of Eastridge Assisted Living Center in Abbeville and Hospice of Acadiana for the wonderful attention they gave to him.
Services will be interpreted thanks to the Catholic Deaf Center.
If family and friends would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, the Broussard family has selected St. Peter Catholic School, 513 6th Street, Gueydan, LA 70542.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rodney L. Broussard, please visit our flower store.
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