Paul Russley Broussard

Paul Russley Broussard was born on February 15, 1941 in Kaplan, LA. He grew up on a farm outside of Kaplan in Wright, LA. along with his parents, brother, and among many other loving family members. He had great pride in his upbringing, culture, and family.

A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Reverend Mikel Polson will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church. He will be laid to rest at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Cemetery. Pallbearers carrying Russ to his interment will be his seven cherished grandchildren.

A visitation will take place at Vincent Funeral Home of Kaplan on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 8:00 AM until the procession departs for the church at 12:45 PM with a rosary being prayed at 11:00 AM.

Russ attended the local Wright Community Elementary School where he learned to transition from primarily French language to speaking and reading English. From there he learned his unique way of culturally blending his heritage with his very outgoing personality. He excelled in academics at Gueydan High School, graduating from there in 1959. He then enrolled at University of Southwestern Louisiana (UL) and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology.

While in college, he married his high school sweetheart the former Betty Guidry. Their first child Brian was born during those college days and graduation found them moving to Crowley, LA. to pursue a Medical Technician role at the Crowley Hospital. During that period, their daughter Terri was born. The family then moved to Gueydan, LA. where Russ would work at Gueydan Hospital for 12 years before departing as the Hospital Administrator. Their second son, Philip, was born in Gueydan a few years after moving there. Russ and Betty raised all three of their children in Gueydan providing overwhelming love and support for all activities including sports, band, twirling, hunting, music, and way too many other things to list. He was involved and lead numerous civic organizations throughout his life in Gueydan including three terms as a Town Councilman. He was devout catholic who regularly attended mass and remained active in his church. Russ was dedicated to his community while being a very caring husband and father who provided for his family in all needs.

Beyond providing for his family and their education, Russ was born with a very special talent for music. He learned how to play the French accordion at a young age and later formed a band that entertained people throughout the Acadiana region for over 25 years. His delight in combining his cultural background with musical entertainment was a blessing to him that he never took for granted. He played numerous weddings, festivals, birthdays, and just plain dance hall venues in which he never ever met a stranger. God blessed him with a gift that he utilized to his fullest.

He finished out his professional career as a chemist for Gulf States Utilities (Entergy) until he retired in 1998. He and Betty moved to Lafayette post-retirement where he later continued working at Core Lab well beyond his 70th birthday. He met many good friends and good people throughout his working career. That meant the most to him.

The post-retirement years brought along many opportunities for him to develop into “Paw”, a special name all seven of his grandchildren called him. Seems like he always had a story for each one of them every time he saw them. He cherished his time with them and will be dearly missed by all of them. Health issues over the last few years caused setbacks but never discouraged him. His faith in God, his love for his family, and especially his role as Paw kept him carrying on his bright smile and witty humor.

God blessed Russ with a loving family for which he is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Guidry Broussard, his three children, Brian Broussard (Michelle) of The Woodlands, TX., Terri Primeaux (Ron) of Lafayette, LA, and Philip Broussard (Nicole) of Lafayette, LA; seven grandchildren, Samuel Primeaux (Zoe), Jonathan Primeaux (Tyler), Benjamin Broussard, Olivia Broussard, William Broussard, Zachary Primeaux, and Hayden Broussard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dennis and Annie Mae Broussard; and one brother, Stefford Broussard.

His journey comes to a blessed ending, but his life lives on through us all.