On August 13, 2011, Merlin Anthony Broussard passed away peacefully at his home. Born on September 6, 1925 in Rayne, Louisiana, to Jules and Mathilde LeBlanc Broussard, Merlin lived a fulfilling life involved in many activities.
A young sailor in WWII, he was very proud of his Navy affiliation and still maintained a relationship with his comrades. After the war, he graduated from Stephen F. Austin University to pursue a teaching and coaching profession. Even after he left coaching to work at Allied Chemical, where he retired after 36 years of employment, he continued to volunteer as a football coach at St. Mary High School in the 1970s. Despite the passing years, he still heard the familiar ?Coach? from former students be it at church, the theater or a Mustang football game.
?Mermo?, as he was known by his grandchildren and friends, young and old, loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and looked forward to the birth of a third great grandchild in September. He has enjoyed following his grandchildren?s activities be it academics or sports.
As a former football player at SFA, he will always be a Lumberjack at heart. In fact, he and Joyce still travelled to watch the ?Jacks plays, always clad in purple.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce, and together they led an active life that was memorable to their family. Their example of marriage and kindness left an indelible place in all of us.
He is also survived by his daughters: Jan Dave Pederson, Susan Roger Anderson, and Nancy Tony Dallas. Sons: Brian Sally Broussard and Todd Lynne Broussard.
Brothers: Bud, Chester, Ronnie and Junior. Sisters: Wanda, Shirley, Jeannette, Glenda, Rhonda, Cynthia, Zona and Amy.
Grandchildren: Todd Purifoy, Ben Purifoy, Britni Doty, Bradley Doty, Brittany Swanson, Melanie Shearer, Eric Eddlemon, Katie Helton, Ellis Kingham, Leigh Anne Dallas, Jack Dallas, Chad Dallas, Madeleine Broussard and Luke Broussard.
Great-grandchildren: Miles Eddlemon and Lucas Helton.
Visitation will be held August 15, 2011 at Claybar Funeral Home from 5 ? 8 pm, with a Rosary being held at 6:30 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 16, 2011, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Orange.
Pallbearers will be Brian Broussard, Todd Broussard, Tony Dallas, Dave Pederson, Eric Eddlemon, Ellis Kingham. Honorary pallbearers will be the Kroger Coffee Gang and the Honeywell Tuesday Breakfast Club.