Former Acadia Clerk of Court, Joseph Barousse, dies

CROWLEY – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 10 a.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church for Joseph Andrus Barousse Sr., 87, who died Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 7:56 p.m. in Lafayette.

Fr. Jared Suire will Celebrate the Mass. The family is requesting visiting hours to be Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to the time of service. A Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.

Mr. Barousse, known to many as “Andy,” first began his career after serving his country in the United States Navy. Andy started Barousse Abstracting Co. and Consulting in the ‘50s. After working in the abstracting business for a few years, he began working with his father in 1952, Homer P. Barousse, who was Clerk of Court at the time. After his father passed away, Andy decided to run for Clerk and was successful in 1968. Mr. Barousse remained in that position until he retired on July 1, 2000. His son Robert T. “Robby” Barousse became the clerk on that same day after qualifying without opposition. It was a proud moment when Mr. Barousse was able to swear his son in as the new Clerk of Court.

Mr. Barousse’s legacy will go on for years to come. Mr. Barousse was a true public servant. He was one to always tell you “Hello” and “How can we help you.” Under his leadership, he brought to Acadia the first in electronic voting and one of the first computerized offices in Louisiana. He was a trend setter and was always open to new and innovative ideas. He always gave thanks to his staff for being dedicated and involved in technology advancements and helping complete each task that the office was faced with. Mr. Barousse reflected on his staff being like family. People like Roy Lyons, Bubba Hanley, and Mark Myers just to name a few were with Mr. Barousse every step of the way. Mr. Barousse has touched many lives in his years of service to our community and was always willing to lend a helping hand.

Mr. Barousse served as President of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association from 1980 to 1981. He also served on the Clerk’s Retirement Board during the same years. Many years later, he again served on the Clerk’s Retirement Board from 2009 to 2010 while his son Robby served as President of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association at the same time. That was another proud moment which he truly cherished.

Mr. Barousse enjoyed life. Morning coffee with friends and family was probably the highlight of each day. Spending time with his family was also something he looked forward to and talked about every time someone stopped by for a visit. Mr. Barousse also enjoyed traveling around not only the parish, but the state. He loved our culture and was an avid promoter of the people of our Parish. Mr. Barousse had many political ties around the state and spent many days at the State Capital fighting for the betterment of not only the Clerk’s Office, but statewide agendas for the good of all. He also worked closely with other elected officials within the Parish to bring unity and leadership for Acadia Parish.

Mr. Barousse’s service to his country was with the U.S. Navy from June 15, 1943 to May 16, 1946 in which he received an honorable discharge. He did his basic training from July 1, 1943 to February 29, 1944 at the Great Lakes Academy in Illinois. He held the ranking of AS S2/c, HA2/c, and HA1/c. He served at the following locations: ONOP New Orleans, LA; Navy V-12 Unit Southwestern LA Institute Lafayette, La; USNTS Great Lakes, Illinois; U.S. Naval Hospital, New River North Carolina; NATTC Memphis Tennessee. His remarks were Hospital Apprentice First Class, American Campaign, Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Barousse is survived by his wife, Evelyn S. Barousse of Crowley; one son, Robert T. Barousse and his wife Mandy of Crowley; one daughter, Monica Barousse Prejean and her husband David of Abbeville; grandchildren, Tessie Guillory, Cody Barousse, Hudson Barousse, Vivian Barousse, Whitney Prejean, Hannah Prejean, Peyton Prejean, Buddy Hoffpauir, Zackary Hoffpauir, Jessica Babineaux, Natalie Richardson, Mallary Chamont, Beau Monceaux and Blaine Monceaux; great grandchildren, Andy Guillory, Carly Guillory, Noah Barousse, Jase Barousse, Logan Hoffpauir, Paige Babineaux, Madelyn Babineaux, Issac Richardson and Ian Richardson; stepchildren, Debbie Richard and her husband Keith, Carrie Monceaux and her husband Karl, Damon Hoffpauir and his wife Dee, Robin Farmer Magee and her husband Mike, Sandra Marx and her husband Don, Jeannie Farmer and Beau Farmer.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Homer Pierre and Bessie Andrus Barousse; one son, Joseph Andrus Barousse Jr; a stepson David Farmer; and one brother, Homer E. Barousse Sr.

Pallbearers included are Jessie A. Stafford, David Prejean, Clark Hoffpauir, Michael Magee, Mike Boudreaux and Karl Monceaux. Honorary Pallbearers include John LeLeux, Lawrence Habetz, Bubba Hanley, Mark Myers and Roy Lyons.

Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.geesey-ferguson.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Geesey-Ferguson Funeral Home, 301 North Ave F, Crowley, LA, 337-783-3313.