Charles

Brou

Charles Albert Brou passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the age of 91 in the family home his grandfather built in Vacherie, LA. To all who knew him, Charlie was a welcoming, friendly person who never met a stranger. He loved meeting new people and learning their stories. His greatest joy was being with family and friends. Pépère, as he was affectionately called, was always "checking on his chickens" no matter where they were in the world. An excellent cook, Charlie took great pride and pleasure in planning and preparing delicious meals for get-togethers, passing on his recipes to his kids and grandkids. It was very important to him to be the quintessential host, which he absolutely was.

Charlie was born on May 3, 1934, in Edgard, LA, where he and his family lived until his mother and sister passed. His father brought him and his three brothers to live with his aunts, uncle, and grandparents in the house his grandfather built in 1900, which is still standing today. His father passed away when he was 16.

Having played baseball at LSU for a short time as a pitcher, he was a big fan and loved to watch the baseball and football games when he could. In 1953, at the age of 19, Charlie volunteered for the United States Navy, where he traveled the world. Five years later, in 1958, his grandparents and uncle passed away, so he retired from the Navy to return to the family home to care for his aunts.

In 1961, Charlie married the love of his life, Patricia Guthrie. Together, they built a strong and loving partnership that lasted 64 years, raising four children and creating a home filled with laughter, good food, music, and faith. Their marriage was the foundation of a family that grew to include 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom brought Charlie immense pride and joy.

Upon returning from the Navy, he began working at the Bank of Vacherie (now 1st American Bank), where he worked for over 20 years. He left the bank to start his own business with his sons, cleaning barges. Eventually, he found his "retirement job" at Foxy's Health and Racquet Club in Baton Rouge, where he worked as a greeter well into his 80s. This job was a perfect fit for him, as he met and became a part of so many people's lives. He loved it! A devout Catholic, Charlie was a member of St. Philip Catholic Church, where he served as a member of St. Matthew's Guild and was a lector.

Charlie also had a creative side. The fact that he was an artist was not well-known, but the few pieces he produced were beautiful. He also played trumpet and ukulele and loved music, especially Dixieland jazz. He loved to dance and was particularly good at jitterbugging!

Charlie is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia Guthrie Brou; daughters Linda Dupuy (Birnie) and Kathleen "Keeny" Olinde (Brad); and his sons Joseph Brou (Alison) and Steven Brou; his 13 grandchildren Jeanne Wilderotter (Eric), Benjamin Dupuy (Julie Ramsauer), Kevin Dupuy, Kimberly Keller (Leon), Patrick Brou (Emily), Danielle Brou (William Bankhead), Sophie Brou (Earl Wheeler), Samuel Brou, Scarlett Brou, Shepard Brou, Ross Olinde, Alex Olinde, Devin Olinde; and great-grandchildren Madeline Wilderotter, Christian Wilderotter, Adaline Keller, Daphne Keller, Mary Brou, Charles Brou, Gabriel Brou, Jeremiah Johnson, Goddess Henderson, Earl Wheeler, and Mariana Wheeler; in-laws and numerous Godchildren, nieces and nephews. Charlie was preceded in death by mother Olga Burch Brou, father Amedee Brou, sister Joyce, and brothers Joseph, Amedee, and Rev. Francis (Buddy) Brou, SJ.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, from 11:30 until mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 PM, celebrated by Rev. Mike O'Rourke at St. Philip Catholic Church in Vacherie, LA. Burial to follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Edgard, LA. A livestream of the service will be broadcast at YouTube.com/@canecatholics. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grand Coteau Retreats at www.gcretreats.org/donate.

Charlie, aka Pépère, will be greatly missed by all and will continue to live in our hearts and minds through our cherished memories forever.