NEW IBERIA – A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Donald Charles Bayard, age 83, at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with Fr. Mario Romero officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Mausoleum with military honors by the Iberia Veteran’s Honor Guard.
Visitation will take place at the funeral home on Tuesday from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm. A Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. The funeral home will reopen on Wednesday at 8:00 am until service time.
A native and resident of New Iberia, Mr. Bayard passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.
Donald Bayard was born in New Iberia on November 11, 1934 to the late Beverly and Bernice Conrad Bayard. He graduated from St. Peter’s College in 1953. Don, as he was often called, worked for Sorrell Electric, E.P. Breaux, and Otis International. In 1975 Don opened his own business, Don Bayard’s Electric, and ran it for forty two years. He proudly served his country in the National Guard for ten years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus, council 3425, where he served as a Grand Knight. Don was also a scout master in the Boy Scouts of America and a little league coach. He had a love for softball and was inducted into the hall of fame in 2005. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, he will be truly and deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
He is survived by his loving wife of fifty nine years, Lois Broussard Bayard; children, Steven Bayard of New Iberia, Eric Bayard and wife Angie of New Iberia, Jill Bayard of New Iberia, and Donna Nugier and husband Billy of Spring, TX; brothers, Baron Bayard and Gerald Bayard; grandchildren, Jared Romero, Brittani Guidry, Bailey Bayard, Ben Bayard, Kaitlyn Romero, Alaina Nugier, and Carly Nugier; and great grandchildren, Landyn Romero, Khloe Romero, Liam Romero, and Ridge Guidry.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Beverly and Bernice Conrad Bayard.
Pallbearers will be Steven Bayard, Eric Bayard, Bailey Bayard, Jared Romero, Billy Nugier, Nolan Theriot, Sr., and Terry Fox.
Honorary pallbearers will be Gerald “Bootsie” Bayard, Baron Bayard, Benjamin Bayard, Ray Dartez, Ron Pontiff and J.J. Bernice.
Donations may be made in Don’s memory to the Catholic High Athletic Department, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |P.O. Box 4486 Houston, TX 77210-4486| and Our Lady of the Oaks Retreat House in Grand Coteau| 214 Church St, Grand Coteau, LA 70541|.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Mr. Don’s caregivers, Glenda Green and Desha Fontenot, for their care and compassion shown while caring for him.
To view the on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Homes of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
