Thomas Wayne Bourgeois, age 86, of Sulphur, La., passed away on Monday, June 6, 2022 with his family by his side. Wayne was born Jan. 5, 1936, in Cedar Grove, La., to his late parents, Dutch and Clydie Bourgeois.
Wayne was a native of Cedar Grove, La., and moved to Sulphur at a young age. He was a 1955 graduate of Sulphur High School where he excelled in football and track. He then attended Louisiana Tech University on a football scholarship. Wayne married the love of his life, Marlene Duhon in 1957. They returned home to Sulphur where he went to work for Cities Service for 27 years. He then worked for the City of Lake Charles, City of Sulphur and finally retired in his early 70s.
He was a devout and lifelong servant of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church where he served in numerous ministries. Wayne attended Cursillo #40 in Praire Rhonde, LA and was instrumental in leading his 4 sons to Cursillo. Wayne enjoyed coaching his sons and grandsons in multiple sports and when time allowed, hunting and fishing. He was a HUGE supporter of Sulphur Football! He was an advocate for education, and was proud of his daughter and granddaughters accomplishments.
Wayne was the epitome of a Godly man, husband, provider, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who always put family first.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 65 years, Marlene Bourgeois of Sulphur; his five children and their spouses, Thomas Bourgeois II (Kathy), Tim Bourgeois (Sheila), Ben Bourgeois (Christene), Paul Bourgeois (Stephanie), and Becky Clark (Shannon), all of Sulphur; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren; his brother, Charles Bourgeois (Patsy) of Ruston, La.; and a host of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Jean Fortenberry and her husband Bobby; and his brother, Elmo Bourgeois and his wife Phyllis.
Visitation will be held Thursday, June 9, 2022, from 4-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 6 p.m. and a Cursillo Rosary at 7 p.m. in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church Hall, 1109 Cypress St., Sulphur. Visitation will resume on Friday morning from 8-10 a.m. in the Church Hall. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church with Rev. Edward Richard, M.S. officiating. Burial will follow in Mimosa Pines South Cemetery under the direction of Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home.
The family would like to express their thanks to the entire staff of Brighton Bridge Hospice, especially Melinda Kellar & Brandy Alston, and our special home care provider, Julia Victorian, for the care and compassion shown to Wayne and his family.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Wayne’s 7 grandsons.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com for the Bourgeois family.