John Wallace Bergeron, Sr.

John Wallace Bergeron, Sr. passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at his home surrounded by his beloved wife Anne, and their children, children’s spouses and grandchildren.

John was born October 9, 1948 in Oak Park, Illinois and spent his early childhood there. In 1959, the family moved back to his father’s home state of Louisiana, settling down in Sunset, La. During high school John was the drummer for Kenny & the Rhythm Makers performing around Acadiana. John attended Sunset High, but eventually transferred to Opelousas High in order to take advanced math classes needed for his future engineering career. In 1966, he graduated from Opelousas High School and then attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana, achieving a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1971.

John had a successful engineering career working for Exxon, Tenneco, and ConocoPhillips. He proudly built many projects around the country and even after retirement continued working as a safety specialist consultant for Baker Risk. He worked on many global projects in Gabon, the UAE, China and Columbia. 

John volunteered as a project manager for the remodel at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Carencro, La. As an avid gardener, his vegetable garden soon became a community garden for his neighbors which highlighted his love of sharing with others. John also had a passion for cattle that he began to pursue in his early 20s and reignited later in his 40s. You could find him on his tractor either in his garden or at the farm with his cows and his grandkids sitting on his lap.

A family tradition he adored was playing the role of “Mr. Pumpkin” each Halloween for over 35 years. Mr. Pumpkin, aka John, appeared once per year delighting kids and adults alike with his witty one liners that were appropriate depending on his audience.
John was reserved but had an incredible sense of humor. If he knew he had a really good joke, he would repeatedly tell you the same joke over and over. His family learned to pretend it was the first time they had heard it.

John, more commonly referred to in his later years as “Paw Paw” was an incredibly selfless man. He loved his wife Anne, whom he was married to for over fifty-one years, and adored his kids and grandkids more than anything on earth. He continually focused on keeping his family grounded. In his career he commuted from Houston, New Orleans, and Lake Charles so that his family could remain rooted in Lafayette. His selflessness and dedication to his family never went unnoticed by those around him.

John is survived by his wife, Anne Domingue Bergeron; son, John Wallace Bergeron Jr., his wife Rachael LaMartina Bergeron, their children John Wallace Bergeron, III and Reneé Elizabeth Bergeron; daughter Kari “Kiki” Anne Bergeron, her husband Christopher Glenn Morris, their children, Ethan Zackary Martin Webb, Audrey Claire Morris and Lorelai Elise Morris; and daughter, Jeanie Bergeron Newberg, her husband Todd Shire Newberg, and their children, Adriana Lea Newberg and Andrew Shire Newberg.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace George Bergeron of Napoleonville, LA and the former, Mary Ethel Nidiffer of Decatur, IL. He was also preceded in death by his sister Linda Frances Bergeron (“Ninnie”) and half siblings, Debbie and Brenda Bergeron.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Carencro, 102 North Church Street, Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 11:00 am. Fr. Christopher Cambre, Fr. Peter Emusa, Deacon Barney Lejeune, and Deacon Cody Miller will officiate.
Visitation will be observed on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 4:00 pm until 8 pm at Walters Funeral Home in Lafayette. Recitation of the rosary will begin at 6:00 pm on Friday.  Visitation will continue Saturday, June 15, 2024 from 8:00 am until 10:30 am. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Lafayette.

Upholding the honor of Pallbearers will be John Wallace Bergeron, Jr., Christopher Glenn Morris, Todd Shire Newberg, John Wallace Bergeron, III, Ethan Zackary Martin Webb, Andrew Shire Newberg, and Raymond Patrick Domingue, Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Theodore Bernard Domingue, Louis Aristide Joseph Domingue, Raymond Patrick Domingue, Sr., Darrel Smith, David Domengeaux, Harold “Mudd” Sibille, and Barry Ellis, Jr.

The family would like to extend their appreciation and gratitude to his medical care professionals. Special thanks to the caring staff at Hospice of Acadiana in Lafayette, especially Kristina Moorman Briscoe and Brooke Charlot, for their loving and amazing care. Thank you also to Crystal Christmas for her great care. Big thanks to his amazing neighbors and friends for their incredible love and help especially Byron Ronkartz, Bernie Trappey and Carla Coleman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Acadiana by clicking here.

Online condolences may be made by scrolling to the guestbook below.

Walters Funeral Home, 2424 N University Avenue, 337-706-8941 is in charge of arrangements.