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Nelson Bourgeois Obituary

"Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him." Heb 9:27-28. A native and life-long resident of Fordoche, LA, Nelson Joseph Bourgeois died on July 11, 2014. He was born on Longwood Plantation near Fordoche to Conrad Vincent Bourgeois and Rebecca Marks Bourgeois on September 21, 1916. He attended Fordoche Elementary School and graduated from Livonia High School in 1934. Beginning in 1940, he served his country in the Army Air Force for five years and five months during World War II where he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. Among the many awards he received during his service, he most notably earned the Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, ATO Volunteer Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and several gold stars for excellence in airplane maintenance. After service in the military, he returned to Fordoche to succeed Ms. Minnie Simmonds as Postmaster. He served in this capacity for twenty-six and one half years and retired in 1973. He was a member of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church and faithfully attended Mass until his health no longer allowed. He belonged to Fordoche Camp #517 of the Woodmen of the World and was a charter member of the Lewis-Miles-Smith Post #301 of the American Legion. He helped establish the incorporation of Fordoche as a town in 1961 and served as Alderman of the Town of Fordoche. He managed baseball teams in Fordoche beginning in the 1950s with the Fordoche Oilers, a semi-pro team; American Legion teams, combining youth from Fordoche, Melville, and Krotz Springs; Babe Ruth teams, and younger teams that moved on to play American Legion and Babe Ruth baseball. He was instrumental in beginning the Fordoche Baseball Athletic Recreation, Inc. keeping baseball alive for years in the town of Fordoche. He was an avid horse lover and LSU football fan. He is survived by his wife of seventy-three and one half years, Jessie Doiron Bourgeois; daughter, Lynnell Bourgeois Ransome (Paul); son, Parnell Blaise Bourgeois (Yvonne); grandchildren: Shon Bourgeois (Jenny); Laura Bourgeois LoBue (Lou); Judith Ransome Farr (Michael); and Matthew Bourgeois (Hannah); great-grandchildren: Ann-Marie and Jessie Bourgeois; Jacob and Owen Farr; and Ezra, Evie, Elli, and Evangeline Bourgeois. His ninth great-grandchild, Paige Kathryn LoBue, is scheduled to arrive in August. He is also survived by his grandchildren by marriage: Daria Ransome, Anne Ransome Rome (Raymond), Brian Ransome, Steven Ransome, Bruce Ransome (Janet), and Jeffrey Ransome (Linda); sister in law, Nora Doiron Kimball; faithful friend, Jerry Milstead; 9 great grandchildren by marriage, 8 great, great-grandchildren by marriage and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Rebecca Bourgeois; grandparents, Vincent and Ida Bourgeois and Robert Lee and Regina Marks; brothers-in-law, Leo Daniel Doiron and William (Bill) Kimball; and godsons, Christopher Kimball and Gerald Hendricks. Visitation will be held at Niland's in Livonia, LA on Monday, July 14th from 5-9 p.m. and will resume at St. Catherine of Sienna Chapel in Fordoche, LA on Tuesday, July 15th from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Celebrated by Fr.. Paul Schuit, IMS. Interment in Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery, Maringouin, LA Pallbearers will be Shon Bourgeois, Matthew Bourgeois, Michael Farr, Raymond Rome, Will Kimball, and Kevin Kimball. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Published by The Advocate from Jul. 13 to Jul. 15, 2014.
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Mr. Nelson is gone now, but he is one man that will never be forgotten by the people who knew him! He is one of the people that I most admired, growing up here in Livonia. His quick bright smile, hand shake, and usually a word or two of wisdom, whenever I saw him, would always brighten my day and make everything seem right with the world. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in his wonderful family

Maurice Picard

July 28, 2014

Daria, Anne and family I am truly sorry for your loss. Praying for you all at this most difficult time.

Shari LeBlanc

July 14, 2014

My condolences to the family I know you will miss him very much. You all will be in my prayers.

Bonnie Hunt Ford

July 13, 2014

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Funeral services provided by:

Niland's Funeral Services, Inc. - Livonia

3508 Louisiana Hwy. 78, Livonia, LA 70755

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