Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr.
February 1, 1941 - January 22, 2024
A Mass of Christian Burial for Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr. will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Deville with Reverend Joy Antony officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Deville under the direction of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria.
Pallbearers will be Blaine Beaubouef, Ryan Beaubouef, Aaron Belgard, Wes Crooks, Whitney Crooks, Will Belgard, and Randal Deslattes.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rayn Beaubouef, and Jayden Bardwell.
The family requests that visitation be observed at Hixson Brothers, Pineville Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. and continued at the funeral home Friday from 8:00-11:00 a.m. A Recitation of Holy Rosary will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Belgard, 82, of Deville, passed from this life on Monday, January 22, 2024 at his home.
Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr. was born in Deville, Louisiana on February 1, 1941. He was the firstborn son of Murphy and Willie Mae Belgard. He was also the first grandchild of his proud grandparents, Willie and Agnes Deville.
He grew up surrounded by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that showered him with love and praise. That host of adults nurtured and encouraged him throughout his early childhood and his years of school.
Early in life, it was obvious that God had blessed him with the ability to enjoy learning in all aspects of education. In high school, he served as Beta Club President, and he served on the yearbook staff. In his senior year, he was named Mr. BHS, and he graduated second to his lifelong friend Richard Allen (Dickie) Sasser.
The ease in learning continued into his college work. He completed the Bachelor of Science as a math major, in three years. He won the Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award. He was named to the Who's Who at Northwestern State University, and he graduated in the top 5% of his class.
He often laughed about the fact that he completed the Bachelor's degree in three years in order to marry his high school sweetheart, Esther Alwell, whom he had been dating 6 years. They married June 23, 1962, and were blessed with a baby girl, Jennifer Marie, in August 1963. In 1968, they were blessed with a son, Jeffery Quinn.
After a brief stint working as a cartographer for NASA, he returned to Louisiana to get started with his lifelong career in math education. In 1962, he taught math and physics at Montgomery High School. In 1963, he taught all the high school math at Forest Hill High School. Next, he moved to Bolton High School to teach Algebra, Trigonometry, and Advanced Math. While there, he served as Key Club Sponsor.
In 1965, he was elected outstanding teacher of the year by Phi Delta Kappa. Three years later, he earned his Master's Degree in Mathematics from LSU of Baton Rouge. The Master's Degree program was sponsored by NSF. He was proud of the fact that, out of the 51 who started the program, he was one of the 21 who finished. In him, the NSF accomplished its goal of keeping qualified math and science teachers in the classroom.
In 1970, he was appointed to the position of assistant principal and math teacher at Buckeye High School. Next, he went to work on earning his Master's +30 graduate hours in Math and Administration. In 1975, he was appointed to the position of principal of the newly built Buckeye Elementary School. During his years as principal, he was active in the Louisiana Teachers Association by serving as local officers and state delegate. He worked in the Rapides Association of Educators as an officer in 1986, 1987 and 1988. He was a delegate to the state convention in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989. He served as delegate to the NEA convention in 1988. Throughout those years, he was a member of the Rapides Association of Principals and Assistant Principals. He was their secretary in 1983, the vice president in 1984, and the president in 1985. He was also a member of The Louisiana Association of Principals and The Louisiana Association of School Executives until he retired in 1990. Throughout his years as principal, he served on numerous parish level committees. While at CHSPC, he was the yearly delegate to the LATM.
His retirement was actual a blessing in disguise. He immediately went back as a math teacher at Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee, in New Roads, Louisiana. He fell in love with the students and parents and school atmosphere of CHSPC. In 1992, he received the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award. In 1994, the CHSPC yearbook was dedicated in his honor. In 1999, he was elected The Distinguished Secondary Educator of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. While at CHSPC, he taught Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Physics. He also served as the Academic Administrator. This position was his love, since it allowed him to use his computer skills. Finally, in June 2004, he decided that it was time to retire and come back home to Deville.
Ironically, this retirement wasn't as final as he thought it would be. The fall of 2004, LSUA contacted him about teaching part time in the mathematics department. For the next 14 years he enjoyed the part time work. In the summer of 2011, he started his 50th year in education by teaching summer school at LSUA. The part time work gave him time to work on his online tutoring and to develop a math help website. As he often said, as long as God blessed him with the health and ability to do math, he could continue to use his God given math ability to help students learn math online.
His teaching philosophy was simple:
He treated the students with respect and they, respected him. He felt that each student must be treated as a unique person, and he believed that each child can learn given the correct class environment. Students must be included in the lesson presentations by their comments and questions.
Early in life, he took a special interest in church work. He was an altar server at St. John's Catholic church for many years. He continued in that roll while at NSU where he was active in The Newman Club, and he attended daily mass at the Catholic Student Chapel. He taught the CCD classes at St. John's for many years. Next, he served as the first Eucharistic Minister at St. John's. Later, he served as Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary's Catholic church in New Roads. He also served on the St. John's Parish Council until he reached the age of 70.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Esther Alwell Belgard; parents, Murphy, Sr. and Willie Mae Belgard; maternal grandparents, Willie and Agnes Deville; paternal grandparents, Quincy and Nettie Belgard; infant great granddaughter, Parker Jade Beaubouef; brother, Billy Gene Belgard, and lifelong friend, Richard Allen (Dickie) Sasser.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Wanda Belgard; son, Jeffery Quinn Belgard (Amy); daughter, Jennifer Marie Beaubouef (Mark); sister, Joy "Sis" Claudette Dickens (Ricky); grandchildren, Blaine Beaubouef (Lucy), Ryan Beaubouef, Tyson Belgard, and Aaron Belgard (Taylor); great grandchildren, Allana Beaubouef, Madison Beaubouef, Rayn Beaubouef, Kinsley Beaubouef, Jayden Bardwell, Julianna Bardwell, Rhett Belgard (arriving May); step-children, Genevieve Ryder (Eddie), Loretta Toney (James), Randal Deslattes (Susan), Martin Deslattes (Emily), and Dawn Jackson (Maxwell); step-grandchildren, Troy Toney (Lindsay), Jesse Toney (Rebecca), Abigale Monk (Logan), Emalee Sotile (Michael), Elizabeth Deslattes, Hannah Deslattes, Hadassah Deslattes, Whitney Wilkinson (Logan), and Joseph Jackson; step-great grandchildren, Reese Toney, Renley Toney, Cameron Toney, Evan Toney, and Palmer Monk, and numerous other family and friends.
During those same years, his great grandchildren came along. Now grandchildren are great, but great grand are better. Allana helped him take down panels of wood fence to make the dog yard. She has since become a nurse. Maddie, early on, questioned whether or not Wanda and he were gonna get married, lol. When he was ill, several years back, Maddie made a comment, aw paw paw you gonna live till you are 84. Rayn, Kensley, Jayden and Julia Anna have made life worth living.
Esther's death sure changed his life. For many years, he was lost and alone. In 2015 that changed for the better. He was working at LSUA as an adjunct professor. Wanda Deslattes was working in the testing center. She often spoke when he went to drop off makeup test. In late December, the testing center Christmas party was to be held. Her boss bet her that she would not invite him to the party. As he walked out the door the week before the party, she stepped out and stopped him. She did invite him they went, and the rest is history. They dated for a few years. Then in 2018, they married. Their time together has been a dream. She treats him like a king. They have traveled the USA even went to Alaska. She plays the fiddle. This has been the reason that they have attended many music functions. Her music group meets several times a month. He has been able to learn to play the mandolin. This was a surprise to him since his ear for music is neal. Yep, his life has changed for the better.
February 1, 1941 - January 22, 2024
A Mass of Christian Burial for Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr. will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Deville with Reverend Joy Antony officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Deville under the direction of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria.
Pallbearers will be Blaine Beaubouef, Ryan Beaubouef, Aaron Belgard, Wes Crooks, Whitney Crooks, Will Belgard, and Randal Deslattes.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rayn Beaubouef, and Jayden Bardwell.
The family requests that visitation be observed at Hixson Brothers, Pineville Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. and continued at the funeral home Friday from 8:00-11:00 a.m. A Recitation of Holy Rosary will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Belgard, 82, of Deville, passed from this life on Monday, January 22, 2024 at his home.
Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr. was born in Deville, Louisiana on February 1, 1941. He was the firstborn son of Murphy and Willie Mae Belgard. He was also the first grandchild of his proud grandparents, Willie and Agnes Deville.
He grew up surrounded by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that showered him with love and praise. That host of adults nurtured and encouraged him throughout his early childhood and his years of school.
Early in life, it was obvious that God had blessed him with the ability to enjoy learning in all aspects of education. In high school, he served as Beta Club President, and he served on the yearbook staff. In his senior year, he was named Mr. BHS, and he graduated second to his lifelong friend Richard Allen (Dickie) Sasser.
The ease in learning continued into his college work. He completed the Bachelor of Science as a math major, in three years. He won the Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award. He was named to the Who's Who at Northwestern State University, and he graduated in the top 5% of his class.
He often laughed about the fact that he completed the Bachelor's degree in three years in order to marry his high school sweetheart, Esther Alwell, whom he had been dating 6 years. They married June 23, 1962, and were blessed with a baby girl, Jennifer Marie, in August 1963. In 1968, they were blessed with a son, Jeffery Quinn.
After a brief stint working as a cartographer for NASA, he returned to Louisiana to get started with his lifelong career in math education. In 1962, he taught math and physics at Montgomery High School. In 1963, he taught all the high school math at Forest Hill High School. Next, he moved to Bolton High School to teach Algebra, Trigonometry, and Advanced Math. While there, he served as Key Club Sponsor.
In 1965, he was elected outstanding teacher of the year by Phi Delta Kappa. Three years later, he earned his Master's Degree in Mathematics from LSU of Baton Rouge. The Master's Degree program was sponsored by NSF. He was proud of the fact that, out of the 51 who started the program, he was one of the 21 who finished. In him, the NSF accomplished its goal of keeping qualified math and science teachers in the classroom.
In 1970, he was appointed to the position of assistant principal and math teacher at Buckeye High School. Next, he went to work on earning his Master's +30 graduate hours in Math and Administration. In 1975, he was appointed to the position of principal of the newly built Buckeye Elementary School. During his years as principal, he was active in the Louisiana Teachers Association by serving as local officers and state delegate. He worked in the Rapides Association of Educators as an officer in 1986, 1987 and 1988. He was a delegate to the state convention in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989. He served as delegate to the NEA convention in 1988. Throughout those years, he was a member of the Rapides Association of Principals and Assistant Principals. He was their secretary in 1983, the vice president in 1984, and the president in 1985. He was also a member of The Louisiana Association of Principals and The Louisiana Association of School Executives until he retired in 1990. Throughout his years as principal, he served on numerous parish level committees. While at CHSPC, he was the yearly delegate to the LATM.
His retirement was actual a blessing in disguise. He immediately went back as a math teacher at Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee, in New Roads, Louisiana. He fell in love with the students and parents and school atmosphere of CHSPC. In 1992, he received the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award. In 1994, the CHSPC yearbook was dedicated in his honor. In 1999, he was elected The Distinguished Secondary Educator of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. While at CHSPC, he taught Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Physics. He also served as the Academic Administrator. This position was his love, since it allowed him to use his computer skills. Finally, in June 2004, he decided that it was time to retire and come back home to Deville.
Ironically, this retirement wasn't as final as he thought it would be. The fall of 2004, LSUA contacted him about teaching part time in the mathematics department. For the next 14 years he enjoyed the part time work. In the summer of 2011, he started his 50th year in education by teaching summer school at LSUA. The part time work gave him time to work on his online tutoring and to develop a math help website. As he often said, as long as God blessed him with the health and ability to do math, he could continue to use his God given math ability to help students learn math online.
His teaching philosophy was simple:
He treated the students with respect and they, respected him. He felt that each student must be treated as a unique person, and he believed that each child can learn given the correct class environment. Students must be included in the lesson presentations by their comments and questions.
Early in life, he took a special interest in church work. He was an altar server at St. John's Catholic church for many years. He continued in that roll while at NSU where he was active in The Newman Club, and he attended daily mass at the Catholic Student Chapel. He taught the CCD classes at St. John's for many years. Next, he served as the first Eucharistic Minister at St. John's. Later, he served as Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary's Catholic church in New Roads. He also served on the St. John's Parish Council until he reached the age of 70.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Esther Alwell Belgard; parents, Murphy, Sr. and Willie Mae Belgard; maternal grandparents, Willie and Agnes Deville; paternal grandparents, Quincy and Nettie Belgard; infant great granddaughter, Parker Jade Beaubouef; brother, Billy Gene Belgard, and lifelong friend, Richard Allen (Dickie) Sasser.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Wanda Belgard; son, Jeffery Quinn Belgard (Amy); daughter, Jennifer Marie Beaubouef (Mark); sister, Joy "Sis" Claudette Dickens (Ricky); grandchildren, Blaine Beaubouef (Lucy), Ryan Beaubouef, Tyson Belgard, and Aaron Belgard (Taylor); great grandchildren, Allana Beaubouef, Madison Beaubouef, Rayn Beaubouef, Kinsley Beaubouef, Jayden Bardwell, Julianna Bardwell, Rhett Belgard (arriving May); step-children, Genevieve Ryder (Eddie), Loretta Toney (James), Randal Deslattes (Susan), Martin Deslattes (Emily), and Dawn Jackson (Maxwell); step-grandchildren, Troy Toney (Lindsay), Jesse Toney (Rebecca), Abigale Monk (Logan), Emalee Sotile (Michael), Elizabeth Deslattes, Hannah Deslattes, Hadassah Deslattes, Whitney Wilkinson (Logan), and Joseph Jackson; step-great grandchildren, Reese Toney, Renley Toney, Cameron Toney, Evan Toney, and Palmer Monk, and numerous other family and friends.
During those same years, his great grandchildren came along. Now grandchildren are great, but great grand are better. Allana helped him take down panels of wood fence to make the dog yard. She has since become a nurse. Maddie, early on, questioned whether or not Wanda and he were gonna get married, lol. When he was ill, several years back, Maddie made a comment, aw paw paw you gonna live till you are 84. Rayn, Kensley, Jayden and Julia Anna have made life worth living.
Esther's death sure changed his life. For many years, he was lost and alone. In 2015 that changed for the better. He was working at LSUA as an adjunct professor. Wanda Deslattes was working in the testing center. She often spoke when he went to drop off makeup test. In late December, the testing center Christmas party was to be held. Her boss bet her that she would not invite him to the party. As he walked out the door the week before the party, she stepped out and stopped him. She did invite him they went, and the rest is history. They dated for a few years. Then in 2018, they married. Their time together has been a dream. She treats him like a king. They have traveled the USA even went to Alaska. She plays the fiddle. This has been the reason that they have attended many music functions. Her music group meets several times a month. He has been able to learn to play the mandolin. This was a surprise to him since his ear for music is neal. Yep, his life has changed for the better.
Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr.
February 1, 1941 - January 22, 2024
A Mass of Christian Burial for Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr. will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Deville with Reverend Joy Antony officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Deville under the direction of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria.
Pallbearers will be Blaine Beaubouef, Ryan Beaubouef, Aaron Belgard, Wes Crooks, Whitney Crooks, Will Belgard, and Randal Deslattes.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rayn Beaubouef, and Jayden Bardwell.
The family requests that visitation be observed at Hixson Brothers, Pineville Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. and continued at the funeral home Friday from 8:00-11:00 a.m. A Recitation of Holy Rosary will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Belgard, 82, of Deville, passed from this life on Monday, January 22, 2024 at his home.
Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr. was born in Deville, Louisiana on February 1, 1941. He was the firstborn son of Murphy and Willie Mae Belgard. He was also the first grandchild of his proud grandparents, Willie and Agnes Deville.
He grew up surrounded by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that showered him with love and praise. That host of adults nurtured and encouraged him throughout his early childhood and his years of school.
Early in life, it was obvious that God had blessed him with the ability to enjoy learning in all aspects of education. In high school, he served as Beta Club President, and he served on the yearbook staff. In his senior year, he was named Mr. BHS, and he graduated second to his lifelong friend Richard Allen (Dickie) Sasser.
The ease in learning continued into his college work. He completed the Bachelor of Science as a math major, in three years. He won the Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award. He was named to the Who's Who at Northwestern State University, and he graduated in the top 5% of his class.
He often laughed about the fact that he completed the Bachelor's degree in three years in order to marry his high school sweetheart, Esther Alwell, whom he had been dating 6 years. They married June 23, 1962, and were blessed with a baby girl, Jennifer Marie, in August 1963. In 1968, they were blessed with a son, Jeffery Quinn.
After a brief stint working as a cartographer for NASA, he returned to Louisiana to get started with his lifelong career in math education. In 1962, he taught math and physics at Montgomery High School. In 1963, he taught all the high school math at Forest Hill High School. Next, he moved to Bolton High School to teach Algebra, Trigonometry, and Advanced Math. While there, he served as Key Club Sponsor.
In 1965, he was elected outstanding teacher of the year by Phi Delta Kappa. Three years later, he earned his Master's Degree in Mathematics from LSU of Baton Rouge. The Master's Degree program was sponsored by NSF. He was proud of the fact that, out of the 51 who started the program, he was one of the 21 who finished. In him, the NSF accomplished its goal of keeping qualified math and science teachers in the classroom.
In 1970, he was appointed to the position of assistant principal and math teacher at Buckeye High School. Next, he went to work on earning his Master's +30 graduate hours in Math and Administration. In 1975, he was appointed to the position of principal of the newly built Buckeye Elementary School. During his years as principal, he was active in the Louisiana Teachers Association by serving as local officers and state delegate. He worked in the Rapides Association of Educators as an officer in 1986, 1987 and 1988. He was a delegate to the state convention in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989. He served as delegate to the NEA convention in 1988. Throughout those years, he was a member of the Rapides Association of Principals and Assistant Principals. He was their secretary in 1983, the vice president in 1984, and the president in 1985. He was also a member of The Louisiana Association of Principals and The Louisiana Association of School Executives until he retired in 1990. Throughout his years as principal, he served on numerous parish level committees. While at CHSPC, he was the yearly delegate to the LATM.
His retirement was actual a blessing in disguise. He immediately went back as a math teacher at Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee, in New Roads, Louisiana. He fell in love with the students and parents and school atmosphere of CHSPC. In 1992, he received the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award. In 1994, the CHSPC yearbook was dedicated in his honor. In 1999, he was elected The Distinguished Secondary Educator of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. While at CHSPC, he taught Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Physics. He also served as the Academic Administrator. This position was his love, since it allowed him to use his computer skills. Finally, in June 2004, he decided that it was time to retire and come back home to Deville.
Ironically, this retirement wasn't as final as he thought it would be. The fall of 2004, LSUA contacted him about teaching part time in the mathematics department. For the next 14 years he enjoyed the part time work. In the summer of 2011, he started his 50th year in education by teaching summer school at LSUA. The part time work gave him time to work on his online tutoring and to develop a math help website. As he often said, as long as God blessed him with the health and ability to do math, he could continue to use his God given math ability to help students learn math online.
His teaching philosophy was simple:
He treated the students with respect and they, respected him. He felt that each student must be treated as a unique person, and he believed that each child can learn given the correct class environment. Students must be included in the lesson presentations by their comments and questions.
Early in life, he took a special interest in church work. He was an altar server at St. John's Catholic church for many years. He continued in that roll while at NSU where he was active in The Newman Club, and he attended daily mass at the Catholic Student Chapel. He taught the CCD classes at St. John's for many years. Next, he served as the first Eucharistic Minister at St. John's. Later, he served as Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary's Catholic church in New Roads. He also served on the St. John's Parish Council until he reached the age of 70.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Esther Alwell Belgard; parents, Murphy, Sr. and Willie Mae Belgard; maternal grandparents, Willie and Agnes Deville; paternal grandparents, Quincy and Nettie Belgard; infant great granddaughter, Parker Jade Beaubouef; brother, Billy Gene Belgard, and lifelong friend, Richard Allen (Dickie) Sasser.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Wanda Belgard; son, Jeffery Quinn Belgard (Amy); daughter, Jennifer Marie Beaubouef (Mark); sister, Joy "Sis" Claudette Dickens (Ricky); grandchildren, Blaine Beaubouef (Lucy), Ryan Beaubouef, Tyson Belgard, and Aaron Belgard (Taylor); great grandchildren, Allana Beaubouef, Madison Beaubouef, Rayn Beaubouef, Kinsley Beaubouef, Jayden Bardwell, Julianna Bardwell, Rhett Belgard (arriving May); step-children, Genevieve Ryder (Eddie), Loretta Toney (James), Randal Deslattes (Susan), Martin Deslattes (Emily), and Dawn Jackson (Maxwell); step-grandchildren, Troy Toney (Lindsay), Jesse Toney (Rebecca), Abigale Monk (Logan), Emalee Sotile (Michael), Elizabeth Deslattes, Hannah Deslattes, Hadassah Deslattes, Whitney Wilkinson (Logan), and Joseph Jackson; step-great grandchildren, Reese Toney, Renley Toney, Cameron Toney, Evan Toney, and Palmer Monk, and numerous other family and friends.
During those same years, his great grandchildren came along. Now grandchildren are great, but great grand are better. Allana helped him take down panels of wood fence to make the dog yard. She has since become a nurse. Maddie, early on, questioned whether or not Wanda and he were gonna get married, lol. When he was ill, several years back, Maddie made a comment, aw paw paw you gonna live till you are 84. Rayn, Kensley, Jayden and Julia Anna have made life worth living.
Esther's death sure changed his life. For many years, he was lost and alone. In 2015 that changed for the better. He was working at LSUA as an adjunct professor. Wanda Deslattes was working in the testing center. She often spoke when he went to drop off makeup test. In late December, the testing center Christmas party was to be held. Her boss bet her that she would not invite him to the party. As he walked out the door the week before the party, she stepped out and stopped him. She did invite him they went, and the rest is history. They dated for a few years. Then in 2018, they married. Their time together has been a dream. She treats him like a king. They have traveled the USA even went to Alaska. She plays the fiddle. This has been the reason that they have attended many music functions. Her music group meets several times a month. He has been able to learn to play the mandolin. This was a surprise to him since his ear for music is neal. Yep, his life has changed for the better.
February 1, 1941 - January 22, 2024
A Mass of Christian Burial for Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr. will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 26, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Deville with Reverend Joy Antony officiating. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, Deville under the direction of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria.
Pallbearers will be Blaine Beaubouef, Ryan Beaubouef, Aaron Belgard, Wes Crooks, Whitney Crooks, Will Belgard, and Randal Deslattes.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rayn Beaubouef, and Jayden Bardwell.
The family requests that visitation be observed at Hixson Brothers, Pineville Thursday, January 25, 2024 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. and continued at the funeral home Friday from 8:00-11:00 a.m. A Recitation of Holy Rosary will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Belgard, 82, of Deville, passed from this life on Monday, January 22, 2024 at his home.
Murphy Willis Belgard, Jr. was born in Deville, Louisiana on February 1, 1941. He was the firstborn son of Murphy and Willie Mae Belgard. He was also the first grandchild of his proud grandparents, Willie and Agnes Deville.
He grew up surrounded by parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles that showered him with love and praise. That host of adults nurtured and encouraged him throughout his early childhood and his years of school.
Early in life, it was obvious that God had blessed him with the ability to enjoy learning in all aspects of education. In high school, he served as Beta Club President, and he served on the yearbook staff. In his senior year, he was named Mr. BHS, and he graduated second to his lifelong friend Richard Allen (Dickie) Sasser.
The ease in learning continued into his college work. He completed the Bachelor of Science as a math major, in three years. He won the Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award. He was named to the Who's Who at Northwestern State University, and he graduated in the top 5% of his class.
He often laughed about the fact that he completed the Bachelor's degree in three years in order to marry his high school sweetheart, Esther Alwell, whom he had been dating 6 years. They married June 23, 1962, and were blessed with a baby girl, Jennifer Marie, in August 1963. In 1968, they were blessed with a son, Jeffery Quinn.
After a brief stint working as a cartographer for NASA, he returned to Louisiana to get started with his lifelong career in math education. In 1962, he taught math and physics at Montgomery High School. In 1963, he taught all the high school math at Forest Hill High School. Next, he moved to Bolton High School to teach Algebra, Trigonometry, and Advanced Math. While there, he served as Key Club Sponsor.
In 1965, he was elected outstanding teacher of the year by Phi Delta Kappa. Three years later, he earned his Master's Degree in Mathematics from LSU of Baton Rouge. The Master's Degree program was sponsored by NSF. He was proud of the fact that, out of the 51 who started the program, he was one of the 21 who finished. In him, the NSF accomplished its goal of keeping qualified math and science teachers in the classroom.
In 1970, he was appointed to the position of assistant principal and math teacher at Buckeye High School. Next, he went to work on earning his Master's +30 graduate hours in Math and Administration. In 1975, he was appointed to the position of principal of the newly built Buckeye Elementary School. During his years as principal, he was active in the Louisiana Teachers Association by serving as local officers and state delegate. He worked in the Rapides Association of Educators as an officer in 1986, 1987 and 1988. He was a delegate to the state convention in 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1989. He served as delegate to the NEA convention in 1988. Throughout those years, he was a member of the Rapides Association of Principals and Assistant Principals. He was their secretary in 1983, the vice president in 1984, and the president in 1985. He was also a member of The Louisiana Association of Principals and The Louisiana Association of School Executives until he retired in 1990. Throughout his years as principal, he served on numerous parish level committees. While at CHSPC, he was the yearly delegate to the LATM.
His retirement was actual a blessing in disguise. He immediately went back as a math teacher at Catholic High School of Pointe Coupee, in New Roads, Louisiana. He fell in love with the students and parents and school atmosphere of CHSPC. In 1992, he received the Brotherhood-Sisterhood Award. In 1994, the CHSPC yearbook was dedicated in his honor. In 1999, he was elected The Distinguished Secondary Educator of the Diocese of Baton Rouge. While at CHSPC, he taught Algebra, Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Physics. He also served as the Academic Administrator. This position was his love, since it allowed him to use his computer skills. Finally, in June 2004, he decided that it was time to retire and come back home to Deville.
Ironically, this retirement wasn't as final as he thought it would be. The fall of 2004, LSUA contacted him about teaching part time in the mathematics department. For the next 14 years he enjoyed the part time work. In the summer of 2011, he started his 50th year in education by teaching summer school at LSUA. The part time work gave him time to work on his online tutoring and to develop a math help website. As he often said, as long as God blessed him with the health and ability to do math, he could continue to use his God given math ability to help students learn math online.
His teaching philosophy was simple:
He treated the students with respect and they, respected him. He felt that each student must be treated as a unique person, and he believed that each child can learn given the correct class environment. Students must be included in the lesson presentations by their comments and questions.
Early in life, he took a special interest in church work. He was an altar server at St. John's Catholic church for many years. He continued in that roll while at NSU where he was active in The Newman Club, and he attended daily mass at the Catholic Student Chapel. He taught the CCD classes at St. John's for many years. Next, he served as the first Eucharistic Minister at St. John's. Later, he served as Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary's Catholic church in New Roads. He also served on the St. John's Parish Council until he reached the age of 70.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Esther Alwell Belgard; parents, Murphy, Sr. and Willie Mae Belgard; maternal grandparents, Willie and Agnes Deville; paternal grandparents, Quincy and Nettie Belgard; infant great granddaughter, Parker Jade Beaubouef; brother, Billy Gene Belgard, and lifelong friend, Richard Allen (Dickie) Sasser.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Wanda Belgard; son, Jeffery Quinn Belgard (Amy); daughter, Jennifer Marie Beaubouef (Mark); sister, Joy "Sis" Claudette Dickens (Ricky); grandchildren, Blaine Beaubouef (Lucy), Ryan Beaubouef, Tyson Belgard, and Aaron Belgard (Taylor); great grandchildren, Allana Beaubouef, Madison Beaubouef, Rayn Beaubouef, Kinsley Beaubouef, Jayden Bardwell, Julianna Bardwell, Rhett Belgard (arriving May); step-children, Genevieve Ryder (Eddie), Loretta Toney (James), Randal Deslattes (Susan), Martin Deslattes (Emily), and Dawn Jackson (Maxwell); step-grandchildren, Troy Toney (Lindsay), Jesse Toney (Rebecca), Abigale Monk (Logan), Emalee Sotile (Michael), Elizabeth Deslattes, Hannah Deslattes, Hadassah Deslattes, Whitney Wilkinson (Logan), and Joseph Jackson; step-great grandchildren, Reese Toney, Renley Toney, Cameron Toney, Evan Toney, and Palmer Monk, and numerous other family and friends.
During those same years, his great grandchildren came along. Now grandchildren are great, but great grand are better. Allana helped him take down panels of wood fence to make the dog yard. She has since become a nurse. Maddie, early on, questioned whether or not Wanda and he were gonna get married, lol. When he was ill, several years back, Maddie made a comment, aw paw paw you gonna live till you are 84. Rayn, Kensley, Jayden and Julia Anna have made life worth living.
Esther's death sure changed his life. For many years, he was lost and alone. In 2015 that changed for the better. He was working at LSUA as an adjunct professor. Wanda Deslattes was working in the testing center. She often spoke when he went to drop off makeup test. In late December, the testing center Christmas party was to be held. Her boss bet her that she would not invite him to the party. As he walked out the door the week before the party, she stepped out and stopped him. She did invite him they went, and the rest is history. They dated for a few years. Then in 2018, they married. Their time together has been a dream. She treats him like a king. They have traveled the USA even went to Alaska. She plays the fiddle. This has been the reason that they have attended many music functions. Her music group meets several times a month. He has been able to learn to play the mandolin. This was a surprise to him since his ear for music is neal. Yep, his life has changed for the better.
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