Leon ‘T-Bit’ Bourque

St. Martinville – A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, 2015, at St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church for Leon “T-Bit” Bourque, 75, who passed away on Wednesday, October 7, 2015.
Visiting hours were observed at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday and continude on Saturday at 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. A rosary was prayed at 6 p.m. on Friday.
Rev. Ed Degeyter officiated at the Funeral Mass. Scriptures were read by Cody Bourque and Harley Melancon. Gift bearers were Chelsie Bourque, Brittany Bonin and Anna Brown.
Entombment followed at St. Michael Mausoleum in St. Martinville.
T-Bit, as he was affectionately known, served in the United States Navy where he was stationed in Japan and California during his tour. In recent years, he enjoyed attending many Navy reunions held around the United States along with shipmates of the USS Prairie AD15. Once returning from the Navy, he worked at local machine shops until he opened his own shop, “T-Bit’s Machine Shop,” in 1972. In 1960, he joined the Evangeline Volunteer Fire Department and in 1978 was elected Chief. He served as an active member until 2000 and remained in the Department as an honorary member until his passing.
T-Bit had many loves in life. He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling, listening to Cajun music, and riding four-wheelers around the crawfish ponds on Sunday afternoon. He was a proud supporter of LSU sports especially football and baseball as well as the Chez Sidney Bandits.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Mary Dell Gondron Bourque; his daughters, Robbie Leslie and husband Darrel of Breaux Bridge, Ginger Theriot and husband Brian, Angel Thibodeaux and husband Travis, and Lacie Bourque, all of St. Martinville, and Barbara Ann Daigle and husband Vincent of Coteau Holmes; his sons, Kevin Bourque and wife Cindy, and Craig Bourque and wife Melanie, all of St. Martinville; his brothers, L.P. Bourque and wife Marie of St. Martinville and Richard Bourque and wife Janelle of Lafayette; his sisters-in-law, Beverly Latiolais and husband Roy of St. Martinville, and Susie Bourque of New Iberia; his grandchildren, Gordy Bourque, Brittany Bonin and husband Brad, Cody Bourque, Bryson Theriot, Chelsie Bourque, Austin Theriot, Anna Brown and husband Tyler, Jeffrey McDowell, Gavin, Chase and Gage Thibodeaux; five great-grandchildren and one-on-the way; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Bourque Sr.; his brothers, Elmo “Sonny” Bourque Jr. and Michael Bourque and wife Anna “Mim”; his sisters, Mathilde Romero and husband Ulysses, and Lucy J. Bourque; his first wife, Barbara Crosby Bourque; and mother- and father-in-law, Robert and Yolande Gondron.
Pallbearers were Kevin Bourque, Craig Bourque, Gordy Bourque, Byron Fuselier, Travis Thibodeaux and Lance Lopez.
Honorary pallbearers were L.P. Bourque, Richard Bourque, Bryson Theriot, Austin Theriot, Cody Bourque, Jeffrey McDowell, and members of the Evangeline Volunteer Fire Department.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Nursing Specialties staff and Ginger Begnaud for their kindness and compassion. Also, to everyone who prayed with us and for us during T-Bit’s final journey, we are eternally grateful.
Pellerin Funeral Home of St. Martinville was in charge of arrangements.
To view on-line obituary, sign guestbook and view video tribute, go to www.pellerinfuneralhome.com.