Dr. Bourgeois, Sr.

November 18, 1928 - July 10, 2016

A resident of Opelousas, Dr. George S. Bourgeois Sr., age 87, died at home peacefully, Sunday, July 10, 2016, surrounded by family. He died the way he lived-with peace, dignity, and grace.

He was born November 18, 1928, in Opelousas, Louisiana. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, Dr. George epitomized the true Southern gentleman. His impact on the lives of his family, patients, colleagues, friends, and others was significant and far-reaching, as he was loved and respected throughout the community. He had a special gift for making each person he encountered feel special in a unique way.

Since his father was a sugar cane farmer, Dr. George spent much of his youth on sugar plantations. He lived his first 5 years in Cuba, becoming bilingual, then moved with his family to Louisiana where he lived on plantations in south Louisiana, including Smithfield and Westover. He carried the richness of that culture throughout his life, and family, friends, and community members remember his spontaneous renditions of the Biblical story of "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego" and the comical story of "Rastus."

He graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge and then attended LSU in the College of Agriculture. Upon realizing that his future was in medicine rather than in agriculture, he decided to go to medical school. In 1953, he graduated from LSU School of Medicine in New Orleans, where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Students are chosen for AOA membership, "not only for their high academic standing, but also for leadership among their peers, professionalism, a firm sense of ethics, promise of future success in medicine, and a commitment to service in the school and community." Dr. George exemplified all of these qualities.

After graduation, he served his country as an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service for 3 years, during which time he was stationed in New Orleans, LA, Norfolk, VA, and lastly in Cincinnati, OH, where he was named Chief of Medicine.

When his service was completed in 1956, Dr. George moved to Opelousas, where he entered into private medical practice with his first wife, Dr. Sally Bourgeois. The 2 Bourgeois physicians were among the founding physicians of Opelousas General Hospital in 1957, where each served as Chief of Staff-Dr. Sally from 1962-1963 and Dr. George from 1976-1978. Dr. George was the last surviving member of that staff.

In addition to his private practice, Dr. George devoted his time and medical expertise to helping others in the community. He traveled to assist at medical clinics in the surrounding area, including Ville Platte and Sunset. He was also the team physician for the Sertoma football league and performed physicals for St. Landry Parish high school football teams. In 2006, he was named Chamber of Commerce Humanitarian of the Year. This award goes to a person "who has devoted many years of effort as a volunteer to a particular cause that benefits the St. Landry Parish area."

Dr. George was well known in the medical and golf communities for organizing, scripting, and performing in the annual Indian Hills Country Club Medical Golf Tournament skits. He good-naturedly referred to himself as a "frustrated thespian," but he was the star of every show. With his singing, acting, and comic talents, he entertained participants and their families for years, receiving laughs, applause, and standing ovations.

An avid golfer, he enjoyed both playing golf himself and following his son's LSU golf career. He and his second wife Jeanette, who is as avid a golf fan as he was, traveled across the South to see their son play. They also traveled to the U.S. Open in Pinehurst, NC, the Masters in Augusta, GA, and the Ryder Cup in Ireland.

He was an ardent supporter of LSU sports, having been introduced to LSU football by his father who was named "Most Versatile Player" on the LSU football team in the early 1920s. Dr. George loved watching the Tigers play football, baseball, and basketball and discussing games in depth with family and friends.

He was famous for his quick wit and intelligent sense of humor. He was known by strangers, as he was a long-time and frequent contributor to the Smiley Anders column.

He was a self-taught and accomplished woodworker, building furniture, frames, benches, cabinetry, and more. He even built the beautiful cypress cabinets that have hung in his kitchen since his house was built.

His gentle nature extended to his lifelong affection for dogs, as he was the "father" of many dogs throughout his lifetime. How lucky those dogs were to be members of his family!

Dr. George retired from the practice of medicine in March 2012 at the age of 82, having served the Opelousas community for 56 years. He was the finest man we have ever known.

Dr. George Bourgeois is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 44 years, Jeanette Mackey Bourgeois; children, Suzanne Bourgeois; Dr. Stephanie Hanson and husband Doug Hanson; Michele Bourgeois; Kristen Bourgeois; Jason Bourgeois and wife Nicole Roy Bourgeois; Rachal Bourgeois; daughter-in-law, Cindy Baque Bourgeois; 14 grandchildren, Kendra Miguez, Alice Menard, Simon Bourgeois, Stefan Bourgeois, Nicholas Hanson, Sarah Hanson, Hayley Hanson, Sean Hanson, Jacob Hebert, Amelie Hebert, Graham Hebert, Evan Bourgeois, Christian Bourgeois, and Caroline Bourgeois; 6 great-grandchildren, Caleb Mackay, Landon Kalisher, Dylan Vu, Savannah Warner, Stiele Hanson, and Asahi Hebert; brothers, Peter Jaime Bourgeois and wife Trish; Dr. Stephen David Bourgeois and wife Madeline; and many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

He was predeceased by first wife, Dr. Suzanne "Sally" Bourgeois; son, George Stubbs Bourgeois Jr.; parents, L.C. Bourgeois Jr. and May Stubbs Bourgeois; and brothers, Louis Clarence Bourgeois III and Henri Lastrapes Bourgeois.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dr. Richard Tate and St. Landry Home Care for their professional expertise and their compassionate hearts. Thanks, also, to Mary Ann Semien, for her exceptional work ethic and devotion to Dr. George for over 50 years.

Visitation will be observed at Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas on Thursday, July 14, 2016, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. with family memories and tributes at 6:30 p.m. A rosary will follow the tributes. On Friday, July 15, 2016, visitation will be reopened from 8:00-10:00 a.m. at Sibille Funeral Home. At 10:45 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, a eulogy will be presented by Dr. Jerry Patton. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the eulogy at the church at 11:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Bellevue Memorial Cemetery in Opelousas.

In lieu of flowers, Dr. George had requested that donations be made to The Marfan Foundation at www.marfan.org.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Visitation

Sibille Funeral Home
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, July 14, 2016
4pm-8pm/Friday 8am-10am

Service

Tribute

Sibille Funeral Home Chapel
2309 George Drive
Opelousas, LA  70570
Thursday, July 14, 2016
6:30pm

Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church
2125 S. Union St.
Opelousas, LA  70570
Friday, July 15, 2016
11am

Cemetery

Bellevue Memorial Park
4833 Highway 182
Opelousas, LA  70570