Charles Bennett Bourque

Kaplan—A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church honoring the life of Charles Bennett Bourque, 78, who died Saturday, September 19, 2020, with Reverend John Joseph officiating the services.  Lectors will be his granddaughters, Whitney and Sarah Bourque.

He was proud of his hometown and lived most of his life in Kaplan, LA.  He was a beloved grandfather and lovingly called Paw.  He had high standards for Hope, Cade, and his grandchildren and took pride in their accomplishments.  His favorite pastime was talking to or about his grandchildren and mailing advice and gifts. He also loved politics, college football, and sharing a beverage with friends.

He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Charles graduated from the University of Southwest Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1966.  He served in the United States Army, the First Infantry Division, from 1966 to 1968.  He was deployed to Vietnam from September 1966 to January 1968 and received the following medals during his service: Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal-First Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, The First Infantry Division (The Big Red One) Certificate of Recognition, and the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal.

Following his service in the military, Charles managed his father’s business, Lafitte Wholesale, from 1968 to 1985 and then became a real estate broker and appraiser.  Charles served on the Abrom Kaplan Hospital Board, Board of Directors of Acadiana Savings and Loan, Board of Kaplan Housing Authority, and the Louisiana State Tourist Commission. He was a Charter Member of Kaplan Rotary Club and member of Veterans of Foreign War.  He was also a dedicated member of American Legion for over fifty years.

He is survived by his two children, Hope Kidder and Cade Bourque and his wife, Andrea; his four grandchildren, Jenna, Whitney, Eric, and Sarah; his sister, Genny and her husband, Russell Pierce; and his brother, Joey Bourque and wife, Charlotte.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Marie Bourque.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 600 N. Church Avenue, on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM with a rosary being prayed at 2:00 PM.