NEW IBERIA – A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted for Mr. Gerald Parker Bayard, age 81, at 10:30 am Tuesday, December 11, 2018 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church with Fr. Ed Degeyter officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Mausoleum. .
Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Monday. The Men’s Rosary Group will pray the rosary at 7:00 pm Monday. The funeral home will reopen at 8:00 am on Tuesday until service time.
A native and resident of New Iberia, Mr. Bayard passed away at 8:18 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2018 at Iberia Medical Center.
Mr. Bayard, affectionately known as “Bootsie” by family and friends, was a member of the LA National Guard. He was a pipe inspector in the oilfield for many years; he was employed with AMF Tuboscope and then later opened and operated his own business, Superior Pipe Inspection.
Mr. Bayard was an avid softball player who was inducted into the New Iberia Hall of Fame in 2007.
He will be missed dearly by his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Anna Belle Landry Bayard of New Iberia; two sons, Phillip “Phil” C. Bayard and Jennifer of New Iberia and Ernest “Ernie” J. Romero, Jr. and Jan of Charenton; two daughters, Melissa “Missy” B. Hill and Shelly and Phyllis R. Hebert and Norris, Jr. all of New Iberia; seven grandchildren; Kenneth P. Hill, Brandon J. Romero, Staci N. Hebert, Renee N. Romero, Kristi H. Gill, Trey N. Hebert and Grant A. Hebert; 10 great grandchildren, and one brother, Baron Bayard of New Iberia.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Beverly and Bernice Conrad Bayard; one brother, Donald Charles Bayard; sisters in law, Alicia Bayard and Belinda L. Peltier and one nephew, Baron “Bud” Bayard, Jr.
Pallbearers will be Phillip Bayard, Shelly Hill, Kenneth Hill, Trey Hebert, Grant Hebert, Brandon Romero and Steve Bayard. Johnny Bayard, Johnny Broussard, Sr. and Raleigh Robinson will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Memorial donations may be made to Boy Scouts Pack 350, 203 Santiago Drive, New Iberia, LA 70563 and/or St. Nicholas Catechism, 7809 Weeks Island Road, New Iberia, LA 70560.
To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
