Dr. Lessie "Pop" Broussard

Dr. Lessie James “Pop” Broussard, 85, of Nederland, Texas entered into Heaven on October 16, 2015. He was born on September 10, 1930 in a home on Dallas Street in Port Neches, Texas to Eddie and Elodie Broussard. He was the eighth of ten children (9 boys and a baby sister) and his family owned a dairy farm in Port Neches. From the time he was old enough to milk cows, “Pop” and his siblings were up at 2 a.m. milking, bottling, and delivering milk to families in Nederland and Port Neches all before going to school for the day and then coming home in the afternoon to repeat the process. “Pop” attended Nederland Schools and graduated at the age of 16 in 1947. He then attended Lamar Junior College and University of Houston and graduated in 1951 from U of H with a BS degree in Biology and Physics. He began his teacher career in 1951 at Bridge City High School and in 1952 moved to Nederland where he would work until his retirement in 1986. In 1961, “Pop” graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a Master’s in Education and in 1977 earned his Ph.D. from California Western University in California.
While at Nederland I.S.D., Dr. Broussard served as a biology and driver’s education teacher, registrar counselor, coordinator from administrator services, and assistant principal and coordinator for extra-curricular activities for Nederland High School.
During his lifetime in the Nederland education system, “Pop” Broussard was instrumental in the development of many programs that still exist today: the first classes for both deaf and blind students; a driver’s education program for disabled students; and the NHS Golden Guardians. He was also instrumental in bringing many programs to the city of Nederland. He developed the first city and school recreation program and was instrumental in establishing the Y.M.C.A. in Nederland. During his life in Nederland, he was an excellent fundraiser and, due to his efforts, helped many extra-curricular programs fund their activities. His dissertation, “The Effects of a Positive Attitude on Extra-Curricular Activities,” helped many students, teachers, and organizations understand how to successfully promote their fundraising activities. In his years at NISD, Dr. Broussard encouraged all students to strive for excellence, stay in school to complete their education and, if possible, always continue learning. He was a member of the Optimist Club and was voted a lifetime member of the PTA. Dr. Broussard’s family was one of the original families that help to establish St. Charles Catholic Church in Nederland. He was a lifetime member of the parish, Parish Council Board Member, Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Dr. Laris Broussard, Dr. Clifford Broussard, Dr. Garforrd Broussard, Harris Broussard, Dr. Raymond Broussard, and Fleto Broussard; sister: Geneva Broussard LaGrappe.
He is survived by the love of his life and his wife of 58 years, Janette Hudson Broussard; daughter, Dr. Jamie Packman, and son-in-law (whom he called his son), Ronnie Packman; granddaughter, Payden Packman; grandson, Paxton Packman, and granddog, Princess; two brothers, Dr. Sexton Broussard and wife Marcelette, and Rogers Broussard and wife Kathy; and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to the nurses and PT staff of: Baptist Hospital; Mid-Jeff Extended Care Hospital; The Medical Center of Southeast Texas; and, Oak Grove Nursing Home and Rehabilitation.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Tuesday October 20, 2015, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Nederland, with burial to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches under the direction of Melancon’s Funeral Home in Nederland. A gathering of the family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Monday, with a Christian Vigil to be held at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, Dr. Broussard had requested that contributions be made to a scholarship named in his honor and that the recipients in years to come, be hard working students that did not necessarily excel in academics but wanted to pursue an education past high school. He wanted them to be like him. As he used to say, “I was in the half of the class that made the top half possible.” Contributions for scholarships may be sent to P.O. Box 75 Nederland, TX 77627.