Bobby Gene Gillard Sr., 85, of Lake Charles, passed away on March 27, 2023, after a life filled with love, laughter, adventure, family, and fellowship. Bobby was born on Aug. 29, 1937, in Lake Charles, La., to the late Tinnie Gillard (Beatrice) and Marie Gillard. He met the love of his life, Tollie Young in Lake Charles, while working at Sears Department store. Bobby and Tollie celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on March 14, 2023.
Bobby lived a full life with many accomplishments. He attended Lake Charles High school and the Advanced Law Enforcement Institute at LSU in addition to various training seminars. Along the way, he served many roles such as patrolman, detective, and later retired as captain. In 1976 he was named “outstanding lawman”. He also received commendations from private and public citizens for his devotion to duty. He began and ended his career with the Lake Charles police department He was a member of the Louisiana Peace Officers Association, Municipal Police Officers Association and the Lake Charles Police Benefit Association. In retirement, he began a second career remodeling homes, a profession that he would continue for twenty years. Bobby was a man of faith, family and integrity. He and Tollie attended St. Theodore Catholic Church in Moss Bluff.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents, Tinnie Gillard (Beatrice); and mother, Marie Gillard; daughter, Felicia Smith; and siblings, Ray Gillard, EJ Gillard, Jimmy Gillard, Clarence LaFargue; and great-granddaughter, Mirabelle Reeves.
He is survived by his adoring wife, Tollie Gillard; his loving son, Bobby Gillard Jr. (Sandra); brother, Karl Gillard (Paula); and five grandchildren, Summer Rice (Eric), Haley Young (Blaine), Kevin Reeves (Jessica), Dr. Dawn Weiss (Randy) and Angela Abitbol (David). He loved and adored his eight great grandchildren and entertained them all with his “Pawpaw” jokes.
His funeral service will be held at Johnson Funeral Home in Moss Bluff on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at 1 p.m. Father Aubrey Guilbeau will officiate. Burial will take place in Whitaker Cemetery in DeRidder following the service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Thursday from 11 a.m. until the start of the service with a rosary being recited at 12:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Alzheimers Association.
The family of Bobby wishes to thank Heart of Hospice Lake Charles and Avail Hospital for all the time they spent with Bobby during the heartbreaking final moments of Bobby’s amazing life.
Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneral home.net.