October 10, 2014
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
April 10, 1927 - Oct 10, 2014 OKLAHOMA CITY Robert James "Bob" Brousseau, 87, was born on April 10, 1927, in Tulsa, OK to Henry and Olive Brousseau, third oldest of four children (brothers, Joe and Gerald, deceased; and sister, Olive Brousseau, Tulsa). Bob attended school in Tulsa, graduating as valedictorian of his class at Cascia Hall in 1945. Two weeks before graduation, he enlisted in the Navy (his mother read his prepared speech at graduation). While in the Navy, he decided to become a priest. Upon returning home from the service, he attended St. Gregory's College in Shawnee and seminaries in Missouri and Oklahoma.
He was ordained a priest in 1954. His first assignment was St. Joseph's Cathedral in downtown OKC. He served as a Catholic priest for 12 years at several parishes in Oklahoma. In 1967, he left the priesthood, taking a federal government job for the Special Technical Assistance Program in Texarkana, AR. He married Margaret Ann Brown, of Pond Creek, OK, in 1968. The couple moved to Denver, CO in 1969, where he worked as Chief of Management & Budget for Community Services Administration. In 1982, the couple and their two sons, Bobby and Tom, moved to Oklahoma City. Bob was in real estate, a personal trainer, adjunct professor for Cooper Institute in Dallas, and gave lectures on aging and health in the community. He was athletic and physically fit, breaking the world bench press record of 407.75 pounds at the age of 72, a record he still holds today.
In 1997, he received the Ageless Hero Award for Vitality. The love of his life was his wife of 46 years, Margaret Ann, and his family. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann, Oklahoma City; son, Bob Brousseau, and daughter-in-law, Holly, and their children, Sophie and Mack, Frisco, TX; and son, Tom Brousseau, and his children, Isabelle and Thomas, Edmond, OK. His family and friends, especially his grandchildren, loved him dearly and will miss his infectious smile, great sense of humor, optimistic attitude, and loving spirit. His life's journey came to an end on October 10 in Oklahoma City after a short battle with leukemia.
A celebration of Bob's life will be held at the Brousseau home on Friday, October 17, 5-8 p.m. Family and friends are invited. Donations may be made to the City Rescue Mission or other charitable agencies for the poor.
Bob was the editor of the book A DYING BREED OF BRAVE MEN about several married priests in Oklahoma. More info can be found here.
http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Author/Default.aspx?BookworksSId=SKU-000326949