Obituary of James Eddie Rougeau

James E. Rougeau, Jim to those who loved him, loved the English language. He had a beautiful
vocabulary and wonderful sense of humor. Anyone who knew him may have heard about Mogogo or
the world of Agapantha that he created with his oldest granddaughter on a trip to the beach. He loved
to give everyone a nickname and to tell stories. Here is one more story: his own.
Jim was born in Eunice, Louisiana on September 4, 1944, to Elias, a principal at the local school and
Yvonne Rougeau. He was the only son of five children including Shirley, Pam, Joyce, and Marie.
Growing up in Chataignier, Jim, Jimmy to his family, was actively involved in Boy Scouts, watching
movies at his father’s movie theater, and roaming the country with his childhood friend Bruce. When
Jim was 15, his father passed away and he moved to Andrews, Indiana with his mother and his youngest
sister. After high school, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in California. While in the Air Force,
Jim took some college classes and then resumed his studies at the University of Southwestern Louisiana.
He earned a Bachelors and Masters in English in five years. The University of Tennessee invited him into
the PhD program, but Jim only completed one semester before accepting a position as Assistant
Registrar at his alma mater. He served first as Assistant Registrar and then Associate Registrar before
leaving USL for a Registrar position at South Louisiana Community College. Jim retired in 2005.
In 1975, he found his love, Sandy. They had a daughter, Nichi, and a son, Mike. He shared his love of
nature, art, gardening, and travel enriching his children’s lives and showing the love only a father could.
His stories filled their dreams, and he helped show them anything was possible if they put their minds to
it. Their home was always open to family and friends. He lovingly welcomed their spouses to the family,
Chad Vanderford and Nicole Jacob and shared his stories with the next generation, Emilie “Emie”
Vanderford, Selene “Sellie” Rougeau, and Lilith “Lily” Rougeau. They loved their grumpy PawPaw. Jim
was also proud of his fur babies, Benny and Teddy and his fur grandchildren, Link, Yoshi, and Stormy.
Jim always enjoyed the beach, and his family is very thankful that his story ends with him walking the
shoreline with the sand between his toes. He passed away from heart issues on June 25, 2023.
He is preceded in death by his father, Elias Rougeau, mother, Yvonne Rougeau, sisters Shirley Ferrell and
Joyce Rougeau, nephew, Michael Ferrell, and son-in-law, Chad Vanderford.
The family would like to express gratitude to Dr. Karen Smith and staff, and Dr. Agostino Ingraldi and
staff for the care given to Jim. They would also like to thank the staff of the hotel, hospital, and Family-
Funeral in Pensacola, FL for the compassion they have shown the Rougeau family.
Honoring his request, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in his name to
The American Heart Association or to th Dr. Chad Vincent Vanderford Memorial Scholarship at the University of Texas Permian Basin

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