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BATON ROUGE — The children of Charles E. and Rose Ashy Broussard, of Vermilion Parish, have created an endowment to support an internship. The internship has been supported widely through contributions and funding by many friends and business associates of the Broussard family, for which the family is grateful.
The endowment sponsors, Yvonne Simon and her brothers, Richard, Alan and Hal Broussard, each have their personal memories of great moments in their father’s life.
Charles E. Broussard attended both LSU and Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette). After college, Broussard spent some time in various successful business ventures before turning to his true passion for the remainder of his adult life — owning and operating Flying J Ranch.
Broussard’s life revolved around the ranch in Vermilion Parish, where he raised registered Charolais, Brahman and Charbray cattle as well as some crossbred cattle. Broussard was also successful growing rice, which eventually was transferred to his daughter, Yvonne Simon, and her husband, Conrad Simon.
Yvonne Simon is now general manager of the Flying J Ranch.
Richard, Alan and Hal Broussard left the ranch for other occupations. Alan, now retired, embarked on a successful worldwide career in the energy industry ascending to become a drilling superintendent for a major oil and gas company. Richard Broussard and Hal Broussard both have successful legal careers in the Lafayette area.
The three brothers also serve as officers and on the board of directors of the ranch corporation.
Richard Broussard, the oldest of the children, said their father was a ninth-generation cattleman, descending from the original Acadian Broussard immigrant, Joseph Beausoleil Broussard. Charles Broussard continued his family heritage when he acquired Flying J Ranch from his father, at first partnering with his brother William, and eventually acquiring total ownership.
The ranch was originally mostly marshland that was acquired in the late 1920s by Charles Broussard’s father and over time was converted to productive farmland and rich pastures for cattle grazing through a drainage and levee network the founding Broussard established in the ranch’s early years.
This heritage was the catalyst for Charles Broussard to not only become the rancher and cattleman for which he was well recognized in Vermilion Parish, but also to assume leadership positions in agricultural related organizations from the mid-1950s through the turn of the century.
The siblings recalled their father was president of a number of organizations, including the Vermilion Parish Cattlemen’s Association, the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association, the Louisiana Beef Industry Council and a number of others. Charles Broussard was also the president and founder of the National Rice Growers Association.
The siblings best summed up their father’s lifetime of work by reflecting on Charles Broussard’s often-used words: “If you can find something in life to do that you enjoy doing, then you’ll never work a day in your life.”
In addition to his primary occupational interest, the siblings also are proud of their father’s role in conservation.
Alan Broussard noted his father was president of the Gulf Coast Intracoastal Seaway Association, which he would describe as running from Jacksonville, Florida, to Brownsville, Texas, and Yvonne Simon added their father was also interested in conservation efforts, especially coastal preservation.
Charles Broussard was a central figure in the push for recognition of the need for coastal zone management, which includes the area where Flying J Ranch is situated in south Vermilion Parish.
Consistent with these outside interests focused on conservation and public service though leadership in organizations, Richard Broussard emphasized his father had a strong interest in politics, hunting and fishing and was an avid supporter of the sports programs at ULL and at LSU.
Against this backdrop of appreciation Charles Broussard’s children have for their father and his heritage, one can easily understand the family interest in establishing this endowment.
“Our father worked on projects at the research station in Crowley until the hurricanes in 2005 and was also involved in the LSU feedlot trials in Alexandria during the 1960s and 70s,” said Alan Broussard.
The endowment will provide an internship for students in agriculture, who will work at one of these LSU AgCenter research stations, Hal Broussard said.
Yvonne Simon added the endowment expresses a preference that students from the Vermilion Parish area will have priority in receiving an internship, but the internship will be available to any student working at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station, Iberia Research Station or the Dean Lee Research and Extension Center.
“Most kids still going to college in agriculture come from agriculture families, and helping them grow in knowledge of agriculture — either in production, research or promotion — will be great for the industry,” she said.
The siblings sponsored this endowment not only for their father, but also for their mother, Rose Ashy Broussard. All of the siblings emphasized that Rose Broussard fully supported all of their father’s efforts and had many of her own that paralleled his work. She independently supported a broad range of causes, including the founding of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Rose Broussard was very active in the Cowbelles organization for women who supported the cattle industry.
“Mom started the Ag in the Classroom program in Vermilion Parish and made sure that there was a proclamation signed every June for Beef Month,” Yvonne Simon said.
“Mom also promoted a Beef for Father’s Day program,” she added. “And during the month of March for six or seven years, Mom would travel with Dad all over the state with the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Queen promoting the beef industry.”
“The endowment is designed to make the AgCenter research facilities a way for young people to get involved and to enhance their interest in agriculture-related things that were important to Daddy,” Hal Broussard said.
The siblings agreed during their lifetime, at least once a week, if not more often than that, somebody in the Vermilion Parish area would approach father for help on some matter related to agriculture. And their father always was willing to provide his assistance.
They view the endowment as a way for their father and mother to provide assistance to persons wishing to engage in agriculture that will continue in perpetuity.

Maldred M. Chauvin, 94, of Port Arthur, TX., passed away Saturday, January 11, 2020 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. Maldred was born July 9, 1925 in Abbeville, LA., to the late Serge Chauvin and Elvina Theriot Chauvin. He was a devout catholic and a member of St. James Catholic Church, where he served as usher and lector. Maldred also served on parish council and was on the finance committee for St. James Catholic Church. He was a member of Knights of Columbus #14355 and Santa Maria Assembly #1100. Maldred proudly served his country in the United States Navy during WWII.
Maldred is preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Stephen Chauvin, Jr.; brothers, Paul Chauvin and Harry Chauvin; sisters, Ella Kennington and Isabelle Hardy. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 73 years, Beatrice Chauvin; children, Deborah C. Robison and husband, John of Groves, TX; Stephen M. Chauvin and wife, Barbara of Groves, TX; Marian C. Burt and husband, Randall of Groves, TX; Philip Chauvin and wife, Erica of Bridge City, TX; and brother, James Chauvin of Abbeville, LA. Maldred also leaves behind grandchildren, Nicole Chauvin, Catherine Chauvin and Kelsey Burt; and great grandchildren, Abigail and Violet to cherish his memories.
In lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to Wounded Warriors Project or the charity of your choice.
A Christian Vigil will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 5:00 p.m., at Immaculate Conception/St. Peter Parish Catholic Church, Monday, January 13, 2020. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at Immaculate Conception/St. Peter Parish Catholic Church with celebrants, Father J.C. Coon and Msgr. Kenneth Greig. Entombment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Michael James Veazey Sr. (Mike) passed away peacefully in Baton Rouge on January 11, 2020.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia Landry Veazey; his children Jim Veazey and his wife Kim Easley Veazey, and Amy Veazey Seemann, and her husband Charles Seemann; grandchildren Caroline and Jake Veazey, Amelie, Charles Frederick and Patricia Seemann, and step grandchildren Claire and Edward Francis. Mike is also survived by his siblings, George Clyde Veazey and wife Lou Redman Veazey; Patricia Veazey Alvarado and husband Ebu Alvarado; Barbara Veazey Kinnard and husband Bo Kinnard; and Frances Veazey Angers and husband Steven Angers; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Formed and shaped by the deep Catholic roots into which he was born, Mike arrived in the heart of Cajun country at his grandparents’ farm, La Nouvelle, in Youngsville, LA. He graduated from Mount Carmel of Abbeville in 1962 and earned a master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from LSU. He worked as a petroleum engineer in Texas and Oklahoma, but quickly moved home when his children started rooting for OU over LSU.
The determination, optimism, and good humor of his family combined with the virtue and faith of the Sisters of Mount Carmel developed Mike into a man universally admired. Mike remained loyal friends with many of his classmates from Mount Carmel. For over 60 years, they shared the joys and sorrows of life; steadfast, loyal, and true to each other. Mike was blessed to find his teenage sweetheart among these friends, and even after 50+ years of marriage, she remained his sweet beloved.
Brilliant and humble, with unassailable integrity, he was highly sought after as a professional expert witness. He reached straightforward and honest opinions, not catering to any particular side, and was unflappable under pressure. His greatest professional love remained teaching, and every semester he taught young petroleum engineers at LSU, inspiring them to offer their best selves to the profession.
As a husband and father, he was kind, slow to anger, generous, funny, wise, strong, quiet and unpretentious. He left an imperishable legacy to his loved ones - an example of life lived with monumental moral strength, unsurpassable wisdom and common sense, and a firm conviction in the goodness of his fellow man. He taught us to look for solutions not problems, and to anticipate the future with hope. Mike’s spirit remains with us, guiding and influencing our lives. We love you Daddy; and thank you especially for teaching us pecan is NEVER pronounced “PEE-can.”
He will truly be missed by his travel friends, Julius “The Numbers Man” and Betty Langlinais. Also, his devoted friend and 40-year business partner, Ronnie Theriot.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Grace Veazey, brother P. J. Veazey, his wife’s parents Abel and Ernestine Landry and several uncles, aunts and cousins.
Services will be at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Avenue on Thursday, January 16, 2020 with visitation at 10AM, followed by a Catholic mass at 11AM and burial at St. George Catholic Church.
The family would like to express thanks to Baton Rouge Oncology, The Butterfly Wing located in Baton Rouge General Medical Center Midcity and St. Aloysius Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mike’s honor to The Hospice of Baton Rouge, St. Aloysius Catholic Church, or The Sisters of Mount Carmel Retirement Community.

Brittany Marie Bourg and Caleb Matthew Zaunbrecher were united in a nuptial mass on Friday, January 3, 2020, at Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, LA. Reverand Father Corey Campeaux officiated the 7 p.m. ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Donald and Judy Bourg of Donaldsonville, LA. She graduated from Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonville, LA and is a graduate of Louisiana State University both for her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. She is currently employed at the LSU AgCenter in Cameron Parish as a 4-H Agent.
The groom is the son of Matthew “Sam” and Sabrina Zaunbrecher of Gueydan, LA. and the grandson of Laura Zaunbrecher and the late Fred Zaunbrecher of Gueydan, LA.
He graduated from Vermilion Catholic High School in Abbeville, LA and McNeese State University with both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. He is currently employed by McNeese Center for Advancement of Meat Produciton and Processing.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore a strapless floral lace and satin A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline, tulle skirt with vintage-inspired beading with a cathedral train . She wore a cathedral length veil with floral lace appliques.
The bride carried a cascading bouquet of white roses with wine accents.
Serving as Matron of Honor was Brandy Kariach, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids included Camille Landry, Amanda Royer and Hannah Devall, all friends of the bride. Ryann Mae Hoffpauir, attended as flower girl.
Bridesmaids chose their choice of style in dresses which were wine in color, lace and chiffon. They carried a bouquet of white hydrangeas with wine accent roses. The mother of the bride wore a gray floor length dress with a floral lace bodice and 3/4 sleeves while the mother of the groom wore a floor length dress with a lace overlay and cap sleeves in navy.
Ethan Zaunbrecher, brother of the groom attended as Best Man. Groomsmen included Samuel Hoffpauir, John Peter Hensgens and Dusty Zaunbrecher, all friends of the groom. They wore navy tuxedo’s with wine accents.
Mason Karisch, nephew of the bride, served as ring bearer. Ushers for the ceremony included Garrett Meaux, friend of the groom and Lorenz Zaunbrecher, cousin of the groom.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Organist Melissa Lacour and Vocalist Nanette Rabalais. The church had Christmas decorations adorned at the altar with white lit Christmas trees, red poinsettias and red roses.
A rehearsal dinner, hosted by the grooms parents, took place on Thursday, January 2 at Don’s Downtown in Lafayette, LA.
After the ceremony, a formal reception was held at The Madison Banquet and Reception Center in Broussard, LA. The bride’s cake was a 4 tiered cake, simply adorned with white and pink roses. The groom’s cake had a cooking theme that showed the groom’s love of cooking with a cake made into a black iron pot of gumbo.
The couple will reside in Lake Charles, LA, after a wedding trip to Nashville, Tennessee.