Leroy Bellard, 93, a resident of Lake Charles, La. passed from this life on Sept. 13, 2024, in a local hospital. 

Leroy was a loving father and grandfather. He never met a stranger, was always willing to help others, and was generous to a fault. Mr. Bellard was the life of the party, loved Cajun music, and never found a dance floor he didn’t like. When not dancing, he spent countless hours on the bayou fishing and tending his vegetable garden.  He founded Lake Charles Poultry in 1969 and Mama’s Fried Chicken. He took great pride in being a part of Southwest Louisiana’s business landscape.  He possessed a certain determination and never found a challenge he could not overcome. He served with honor in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. Leroy will forever be remembered for his charisma and larger-than-life personality.

Leroy is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Lucille Fisher Bellard; his son, Dennis Bellard, and his four brothers, Ashton, Paul “AC,” Rodney, and Calvin Bellard. 

Mr. Bellard is survived by his wife, Doris Jane Frederick Bellard; children, Danny Bellard and wife, Tammie, Kathy Bellard, Melanie Bellard Evans and husband, Sam; six grandchildren, the Rev. Nicholas Dupre, Heidi Dupre, Scott Stollsteimer, Tylor Bellard, Logan Kuehn and Gabrielle Kuehn; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Harry Bellard and wife, Ruby, and Ronald Bellard and wife, Roma, and numerous nieces and nephews. 

The family will receive friends on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the chapel of Lakeside Funeral Home. A rosary will be prayed at 6 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, in the chapel of Lakeside Funeral Home from 8 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. at Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church. The Rev. Nicholas Dupre will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at Consolata Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mr. Bellard’s memory to Tunnels to Towers or the Wounded Warrior Project.