Ronald Otis Broussard

Ronald Otis Broussard, age 76, of Gulfport, passed away on November 22, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Amida. Survivors include his wife Jeanette; his brother Byron; his sister Adrienne; his son Charlie; two daughters, Deidre and Mandee; two sons-in-law, Andrew and Eric; and five grandchildren, Zachary, Gianna, Camilla, Liam, and Daisy. Ron's entire life was filled with music. Beginning in 1948 when his parents opened a music store in downtown Gulfport, music became the center of his life. In high school he and his brother Byron joined a popular rock-and-roll band, the Rockets, which performed at the Gulfport Yacht Club and other places on the Gulf Coast. His father's pride, however, was seeing Ronnie lead the Gulfport High Band as Drum Major. Hoping to go to LSU, Ronnie was disappointed when his father shipped him off to Notre Dame instead. The four years he spent at Notre Dame, however, turned out to be a wonderful time in his life because of all the "Yankee" friends he made there. His skill as a trombone player earned him an invitation to join the Dixie Ramblers, a jazz band composed of other Notre Dame students. The summer between his junior and senior years, this band toured Europe, delighting their audiences with Dixieland jazz. After his graduation from Notre Dame in 1960, Uncle Sam required his service for two years. This also turned out to be a wonderful interlude because he shared a house with several of his college buddies who were attending law school at Georgetown while he worked at the Pentagon. Of course, their nights and weekends were filled with lots of jazz and rock-and-roll. In 1962 his parents asked him to come home to Gulfport and help his brother Byron run their music stores. While working at the family business, he was also a proud member of the National Guard for seven years and rose to the rank of Captain. After Camille hit in 1969, his parents, his sister Adrienne, and Byron's family moved to Mobile to start a music store there. From 1970 to 1995, Ron owned and operated Broussard's Music on Pass Road. During these years, he also served as Choir Director at St. Joseph and then at St. James. When Ron retired in 1995, he could not give up his love of music and people, so he began tuning pianos. This brought him much joy because the people who called him to their homes and churches to care for their pianos were those with whom he shared his love of music and gift of gab. The absence of his vibrant and outgoing personality will leave an empty space in his friends' and loved ones' hearts forever, but St. Peter has probably already welcomed him with open arms and a grin on His face. Visitation will be on Friday, November 28th, 2014, from 12-1 pm at St. James Catholic Church, 366 Cowan Road, Gulfport. The service will follow at 1 pm at St. James. Interment will be at 2:30 pm in Biloxi National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Cancer Society, 417 Security Square, Gulfport, MS 39507. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com