Clifton Joseph Bergeron, Sr., 84, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2013, at River Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center in Kerrville. He was born on November 6, 1928, in Church Point, Louisiana, to Merida Thibodeaux Bergeron and Raymond Bergeron.
Cliff grew up in Lake Arthur, Louisiana, and moved to Hamshire, Texas, in 1949. Cliff married Virginia Castille in 1950, beginning his life in Hamshire, where he resided for forty-five years.
He was an entrepreneur in every sense of the word, owning and operating many local businesses. These enterprises included rice farming, an oil company, lube shop, parts house, dairy hut, and a residential construction and real estate development business. His most well-known venture began in 1962 as a restaurateur, co-founding Bergeron’s Restaurant with his wife, Virginia. Cliff was also one of the founding members of the Hamshire Volunteer Fire Department in 1962 and was the first Fire Chief. He briefly served in the United States Navy and was a Board Member of Gulf Coast Bank in Winnie.
In 1982, he married Dell Dudley Lafitte, and they settled in Kerrville in 1994. He loved traveling, woodworking, making bird houses, and was an all-around handy man.
Cliff is survived by his wife; Dell Bergeron of Kerrville; children, Dale Bergeron and his wife, Mary Jo; Jackie Bergdorf; and Junior Bergeron and his wife, Karen, all of Hamshire; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Ethel Bergeron of Hamshire; brother, Jerry Bergeron and his wife, Susan, of Rayne, Louisiana; stepchildren, Karen Cravy and her husband, Ricky, of Winnie; Ike Lafitte of Orange; Sharon Ross and her husband, Leslie, of Orange; and Daryl Lafitte and his wife, Cheryl, of Moody; twelve step-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Cliff was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eula Mae Fullwood; and son-in-law, James Bergdorf.
A gathering of Mr. Bergeron’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday, November 4, 2013, at Broussard’s, 134 W. Buccaneer Road, Winnie. His funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Fairview Cemetery.
Thanks to the many family and friends who have been there for Cliff during his illness. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made in his honor to the Hamshire Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 153, Hamshire, Texas 77622.
