More than anything, Terry loved to make people smile and laugh.  He was well known for telling Cajun jokes in a perfect Cajun accent. But his spontaneous humor and quick wit were what won him many, many friends and fans.

Terry grew up in a family with four sisters, one brother, a very patient and loving mother, and a father of great wisdom and practicality. The family moved around to various cities in south Louisiana in his early years. Terry created many one-act plays that were presented to his parents, aunts, and uncles. In these plays, each sibling would take the part of a much older family member, mimicking mannerisms, accents, and the like. This never failed to leave the audience rolling on the floor. He once set up a boxing ring for his sisters to fight in, that one didn’t end very well.

Music was a huge part of his life. His father, Lee, organized a family singing group, teaching them harmony. One of the biggest audiences for the family singing group was at the Louisiana State Moose Convention.

Terry played tuba in the school band, was drum major at Terrebone High School in his senior year and he made the Louisiana All State Band. His first “garage band” was called the Tom Cats. His dream in high school was to be a member of the Louisiana State University marching band, which he was and just he just loved it. He majored in music education at LSU where he was so appreciative of the mentoring and teaching from professors Bruce Jones, John Edmonds, and Bill Swor.

Terry was the creator of the legendary LSU fictional band member, Arnold Shakeaux.  The last name is the Cajun spelling for band hats called shakos. Terry, as a student aid in the band department, was able to pull off harmless pranks in the name of Arnold Shakeaux, such as ordering items to be delivered to the LSU department, c/o Arnold Shakeaux. On the program for one of the concerts, Terry was able to sneak in Arnold’s name among the names of other real band students listed with their instruments. Arnold played the manzello, now a legendary fictional musical instrument.

He played bass in a rock and roll “cover” band called The Basement Wall that became extremely well- known and popular throughout the South. The band was meticulously professional in their appearance with haircuts and clothes like the Beatles. Their precision in playing the music exactly like the song was done on the records included using the same instruments as the originals, duplicating the lighting and amplification, the incorporating of humor in the “act”, and the booking of their “gigs.” The band played in New York City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.  In 2005, the band received recognition by the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.  

Terry married Joyce Honeycutt while at LSU. Upon graduation, he moved to Dayton to teach high school band and choir. There he was much loved by his students. He also conducted musical productions for the Dayton community including “Hello Dolly”. He later taught band at Orangefield where many students today still remember him. One of his most important messages to students was to “Be in the right place at the right time with the right equipment and the right attitude.”

A family of four children started soon, James, Jeff, Jacqueline, and Joel. As a father, Terry always supported and encouraged his children to love what they do and do what they love. He shared his love of people, food and music with his children every chance he had. He would teach them songs on the piano while Mom was getting ready for church. He turned household chores into fun games, like encouraging his kids to put on their "clothes-folding hats" which were really pairs of underwear fresh from the dryer. He passed his sense of humor on to his children, along with his sense of service to others. As the children grew older, Terry was always available for fatherly advice, a word of encouragement, or just a shoulder on which to lean.

Upon leaving the teaching profession, Terry earned his Master’s Degree from LSU while working at the LSU Alumni Foundation.  Afterwards, he began working at The United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County. He served as Executive Director/ President /CEO of the organization for ten years.  Under his leadership, the membership was streamlined and many new volunteers were attracted to the organization.  This was due, in part, to his personality and in part because of his professionalism in running a tight nonprofit organization. In August of this year, he received his 25-year pin, which made him very proud.

Karen and Terry married in 1991. They shared a wonderful partnership. Terry faithfully fulfilled all of his wedding vows plus a few extra ones. He became chief chef and dishwasher of the family, the laundry man, the seamstress, and the handyman. He was also the default blessing giver at all of Karen’s family get-togethers. He always encouraged and supported Karen in her various endeavors.

In the last twenty plus years they were married, Terry played music with Gulf States Utilities Reddy Rhythms (popular music), the Golden Triangle Emmaus Community (Christian music), First Light (praise band at First United Methodist Church), Tastes Like Chicken (bluegrass music), Triumph Church Beaumont Praise Band, Book of Days (rock and roll and popular music), and the Night and Day Orchestra (jazz and swing).

Most of his life, Terry loved fishing. In later years he wanted his own boat In the last few years of his life, that dream came true so that he was able to share his love of fishing with Karen and also with his best buddy, Paul Stewart.  In the spring of 2011, he and Paul hit a honey hole at Lake Livingston and pulled the fish in as fast as they could cast for hours. That was the fishing experience of his life!

As Terry’s children started families of their own, he relished the role of "Pappy" as he liked to be called by his four grandchildren. They brought out the best in Terry that fun loving, mischievous kid that loved to make others laugh. His legacy will live on in his children and grandchildren. 

Terry grew up in the Catholic Church. He began to experience the touch of the Holy Spirit when he was invited by one of his college buddies to play in the Salvation Army Band. As an adult, he attended and served in many capacities, particularly with music, in First United Methodist Church in Orange as well as Beaumont. Disciples Bible Study provided him with in-depth knowledge of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus. That experience, followed by the Emmaus Walk and his involvement in leadership capacities,continued the growth of his faith and experience with the Holy Spirit. In the last five years, his service and participation in the praise band at Triumph Church Beaumont and the anointed teachings from the pulpit drew him closer to God each week. And now, God has drawn him even closer.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Bourdier of Beaumont; sons, James Bourdier and his wife, Alicia, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jeff Bourdier and his wife, Sara, of Houston; and Joel Bourdier and his wife, Kristen, of Frisco; daughter, Jacqueline Bourdier of Beaumont; four grandchildren, Rowynn, Trent, Joseph and Cullen; mother, Irma Bourdier, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; brother, Rick Bourdier of Walker, Louisiana; sisters, Paula Young of Jackson, Mississippi; Janelle O’Neal of Pierre Part, Louisiana; Sheryl Sherlock of Walker, Louisiana; and Kathie Filardo of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

A gathering of Terry’s family and friends will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, September 7, 2012, at Triumph Church, 10255 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont. His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Triumph Church, 1407 Highway 69 South, Nederland, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A private family graveside will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to United Way of Beaumont, 700 North Street, Suite H, Beaumont, Texas 77701 www.uwbmt.org; Louisiana State University, School of Music, 102 School of Music Building, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 www.music.lsu.edu; or Triumph Church, 10255 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas 77708 www.triumphchurch.com.