Donald James Bernard

A native and resident of Lafayette, T-Don passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at his residence. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was an avid outdoorsman. He was a cattle farmer and also loved fishing, cooking, gardening and woodworking. He enjoyed spending time at his camp in Pecan Island. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He started his career with Smith International in 1970 and achieved several awards as a salesman. In 1987 he went to Triumph " LOR as operations manager, then in 1999 he went to work for Workstrings, where he held many positions. He was a member of the American Association of Drilling Engineers and was well-known in the Oil & Gas industry. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Baudoin Bernard of Lafayette; his sons, Mark E. Bernard and wife, Kimberly of Rayne and David J. Bernard and wife, Alison of Lafayette; his daughter, Vickie B. Spangler and husband, Jake of Franklin; five grandchildren, Grace, Matthew, Nathan, Samuel and Luke; his first cousin, Ted Richard of Youngsville; and two godchildren, Haley Hellrich and Clay Montesano. He is also survived by his aunt, Nemeze Richard.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Corrine Bernard; and his two aunts who raised him after his parents died when he was six years old, Mercedes SuSu Bernard and Lula Nanny Bernard.

Serving as pallbearers will be Mark E. Bernard, David J. Bernard, Jake P. Spangler, Ronnie LeBouef, Ted Richard and Mike Keating. Honorary pallbearers will be Matthew Bernard, Nathan Bernard, Samuel Bernard, Luke Spangler, Mark Hellrich, Greg Elliot, Blaise Provost, Richard Paul Broussard, Tony Krieg and Bubba Montesano.

David Funeral Home of Lafayette, 316 Youngsville Hwy., (337) 837-9887, is handling the arrangements.