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Michael James Veazey Sr. (Mike) passed away peacefully in Baton Rouge on January 11, 2020.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia Landry Veazey; his children Jim Veazey and his wife Kim Easley Veazey, and Amy Veazey Seemann, and her husband Charles Seemann; grandchildren Caroline and Jake Veazey, Amelie, Charles Frederick and Patricia Seemann, and step grandchildren Claire and Edward Francis. Mike is also survived by his siblings, George Clyde Veazey and wife Lou Redman Veazey; Patricia Veazey Alvarado and husband Ebu Alvarado; Barbara Veazey Kinnard and husband Bo Kinnard; and Frances Veazey Angers and husband Steven Angers; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Formed and shaped by the deep Catholic roots into which he was born, Mike arrived in the heart of Cajun country at his grandparents’ farm, La Nouvelle, in Youngsville, LA. He graduated from Mount Carmel of Abbeville in 1962 and earned a master’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from LSU. He worked as a petroleum engineer in Texas and Oklahoma, but quickly moved home when his children started rooting for OU over LSU.
The determination, optimism, and good humor of his family combined with the virtue and faith of the Sisters of Mount Carmel developed Mike into a man universally admired. Mike remained loyal friends with many of his classmates from Mount Carmel. For over 60 years, they shared the joys and sorrows of life; steadfast, loyal, and true to each other. Mike was blessed to find his teenage sweetheart among these friends, and even after 50+ years of marriage, she remained his sweet beloved.
Brilliant and humble, with unassailable integrity, he was highly sought after as a professional expert witness. He reached straightforward and honest opinions, not catering to any particular side, and was unflappable under pressure. His greatest professional love remained teaching, and every semester he taught young petroleum engineers at LSU, inspiring them to offer their best selves to the profession.
As a husband and father, he was kind, slow to anger, generous, funny, wise, strong, quiet and unpretentious. He left an imperishable legacy to his loved ones - an example of life lived with monumental moral strength, unsurpassable wisdom and common sense, and a firm conviction in the goodness of his fellow man. He taught us to look for solutions not problems, and to anticipate the future with hope. Mike’s spirit remains with us, guiding and influencing our lives. We love you Daddy; and thank you especially for teaching us pecan is NEVER pronounced “PEE-can.”
He will truly be missed by his travel friends, Julius “The Numbers Man” and Betty Langlinais. Also, his devoted friend and 40-year business partner, Ronnie Theriot.
He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Grace Veazey, brother P. J. Veazey, his wife’s parents Abel and Ernestine Landry and several uncles, aunts and cousins.
Services will be at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, 2025 Stuart Avenue on Thursday, January 16, 2020 with visitation at 10AM, followed by a Catholic mass at 11AM and burial at St. George Catholic Church.
The family would like to express thanks to Baton Rouge Oncology, The Butterfly Wing located in Baton Rouge General Medical Center Midcity and St. Aloysius Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mike’s honor to The Hospice of Baton Rouge, St. Aloysius Catholic Church, or The Sisters of Mount Carmel Retirement Community.

Brittany Marie Bourg and Caleb Matthew Zaunbrecher were united in a nuptial mass on Friday, January 3, 2020, at Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Lafayette, LA. Reverand Father Corey Campeaux officiated the 7 p.m. ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Donald and Judy Bourg of Donaldsonville, LA. She graduated from Ascension Catholic High School in Donaldsonville, LA and is a graduate of Louisiana State University both for her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. She is currently employed at the LSU AgCenter in Cameron Parish as a 4-H Agent.
The groom is the son of Matthew “Sam” and Sabrina Zaunbrecher of Gueydan, LA. and the grandson of Laura Zaunbrecher and the late Fred Zaunbrecher of Gueydan, LA.
He graduated from Vermilion Catholic High School in Abbeville, LA and McNeese State University with both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees. He is currently employed by McNeese Center for Advancement of Meat Produciton and Processing.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore a strapless floral lace and satin A-line dress with a sweetheart neckline, tulle skirt with vintage-inspired beading with a cathedral train . She wore a cathedral length veil with floral lace appliques.
The bride carried a cascading bouquet of white roses with wine accents.
Serving as Matron of Honor was Brandy Kariach, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids included Camille Landry, Amanda Royer and Hannah Devall, all friends of the bride. Ryann Mae Hoffpauir, attended as flower girl.
Bridesmaids chose their choice of style in dresses which were wine in color, lace and chiffon. They carried a bouquet of white hydrangeas with wine accent roses. The mother of the bride wore a gray floor length dress with a floral lace bodice and 3/4 sleeves while the mother of the groom wore a floor length dress with a lace overlay and cap sleeves in navy.
Ethan Zaunbrecher, brother of the groom attended as Best Man. Groomsmen included Samuel Hoffpauir, John Peter Hensgens and Dusty Zaunbrecher, all friends of the groom. They wore navy tuxedo’s with wine accents.
Mason Karisch, nephew of the bride, served as ring bearer. Ushers for the ceremony included Garrett Meaux, friend of the groom and Lorenz Zaunbrecher, cousin of the groom.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Organist Melissa Lacour and Vocalist Nanette Rabalais. The church had Christmas decorations adorned at the altar with white lit Christmas trees, red poinsettias and red roses.
A rehearsal dinner, hosted by the grooms parents, took place on Thursday, January 2 at Don’s Downtown in Lafayette, LA.
After the ceremony, a formal reception was held at The Madison Banquet and Reception Center in Broussard, LA. The bride’s cake was a 4 tiered cake, simply adorned with white and pink roses. The groom’s cake had a cooking theme that showed the groom’s love of cooking with a cake made into a black iron pot of gumbo.
The couple will reside in Lake Charles, LA, after a wedding trip to Nashville, Tennessee.

KAPLAN – Shortly after 11 a.m. on Jan. 12, 2020, Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on La. Hwy. 14 near West Pirates Lane in Vermilion Parish.
The crash claimed the life of 83-year-old John Hebert of Lafayette.
The preliminary investigation revealed a 2015 Buick Verano, driven by 38-year-old Kristy McBride of Lake Arthur, was traveling West on LA 14. At the same time, a 2007 GMC Acadia, driven by Hebert, was traveling East on LA 14. For reasons still under investigation, McBride crossed the center lines as she was negotiating a curve and struck the Acadia head-on in the eastbound lane of travel.
Troopers determined Hebert was unrestrained at the time of the crash. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office. A juvenile passenger, seat belted in the rear seat of Hebert’s vehicle, suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital. McBride, who was properly restrained and suffered moderate injuries, was also transported to a local hospital. Toxicology samples were taken from both drivers and results are pending. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Troopers would like to take this opportunity to remind motorists to always make good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Never drive while impaired, fatigued, or distracted. Always ensure every occupant is properly restrained, being mindful of recent changes in child passenger seat laws, and follow all traffic laws. Taking simple precautions such as these can often mean the difference between life and death.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, January 13, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milton, LA for Margaret Una Broussard Thibodeaux, who passed away on January 10, 2020 at the age of 97.
Fr. William Schambough will serve as celebrant.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Margaret was born in Milton, La. on March 25, 1922 to the late Elizé and Alicia Schexnayder Broussard.
She is survived by her son-in-law, Fred Cavitt and grandson, Steven E. Cavitt of Arkansas and her caregiver and niece, Edith Russo of Abbeville. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Courtney Leigh Payne, Samantha Quebedeaux, Zoe Sienna Cavitt and Danny Joe Bly, and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clement Thibodeaux; one child, a daughter, Rose Marie Thibodeaux Cavitt; three brothers, Edgar J., Dudley L., and Wilsey J. Broussard and three sisters, Delusca Broussard, Agnes B. Vincent, and Estelle B. Leblanc.
Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 1:00 PM until the time of service.
The family wishes to thank the employees of Maison du Monde who cared for Margaret for the past 10 years.
Personal condolences may be sent to the Thibodeaux family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com.
Delhomme funeral home of Lafayette is in charge of arrangements.