Bonnie Broussard

Bonnie Paul "Bee" Broussard, 90, died in Florida on Sunday, October 4, 2026. He was born at home in Lake Arthur, Louisiana, on June 11, 1936, to Albany and Inez Broussard, both decedents of Acadian French.

His first language was French, and he learned English only after starting first grade. The family house had no electricity, and water was pumped by hand. As a boy, Bee helped his family run their small dairy farm, milking thirty cows by hand twice a day.

After graduating from high school in Lake Arthur, Bee went on to Louisiana State University. He graduated in 1958, majoring in animal husbandry and agronomy. On September 15, 1956, he married Beatriz Helena Chang. They had four children, Mary, Carl, Craig, and Anna.

At Thanksgiving in 1962, Bee flew with his young family to the Republic of Panama in search of better opportunities. He was hired by the Panama Canal Company and served with the Canal organization for the rest of his career, retiring as a safety officer.

Bee was an avid Boy Scout and Explorer Scout leader. Through Scouting he taught his sons and daughters, and many other young people, responsibility, a strong work ethic, honesty, and dedication. He was best known for leading his Scouts in building and racing traditional dugout canoes, called cayucos, across the Panama Canal from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. For many years, he also led Scouts across the Continental Divide, so they could earn their camping badges.

Bee spoke Spanish fluently, which made him at home in three languages. After retirement, he operated several small businesses in Panama. In 1990 he met Marny Harrison, who had come to Panama as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense. After the family relocated to Florida in 1999, Bee happily became "Mr. Mom" to their son, Jason, while Marny continued to work and travel for her career. Bee had many adventures, including sailing his custom yacht from Panama to the family's home in Lake Arthur. He was a devoted father and husband who believed in learning throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albany and Inez Broussard; his brother, Robert Broussard; mother of his children, Beatriz Helena Chang; his infant daughter, Jo Anna, twin to Mary; his youngest daughter, Anna Roy; and his oldest grandson, Joe Blaine Slaughter.

He is survived by his wife, Marny Broussard, and by his children: Mary Elliott (Roger), Carl Broussard (Meredith), Craig Broussard (Tammy), and Jason Broussard (Pilin). He is also survived by his siblings, Yvonne Bourgeois, Beatrice Hopkins, and John Broussard.

His grandchildren are Jennifer B. Schurman, J.D. Slaughter, Joel D. Granger, Andrea Broussard, Kevin Broussard, Katherine B. Ellerman, Charles Broussard, and Olive Broussard. His great-grandchildren are Donavon Blaine Slaughter, James D. Slaughter Jr., Joanna L. Slaughter, Hallie G. Furgeson, Joel Granger, Andrew Schurman, and Zack Schurman, Liam Ellerman, Eliana Ellerman, and Emma Broussard. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends in Louisiana, Panama, and Florida.

Visitation will be held at Miguez Funeral Home in Lake Arthur, LA on Monday October 12, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 11:45 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Lake Arthur at 12:00 PM the same day with a burial to follow in Lakeview Cemetery.

Escorting Bee home to his final resting place will be Jason, Pilin, Olive, and Marny Broussard, and Kathy Roschek.