Col. A.J. (Beau) Bergeron's Obituary
COL (RET) A.J.(Beau) Bergeron, 74, passed away peacefully at the Washington State Veterans Home, Retsil, in Port Orchard, WA on September 1, 2018. A combat veteran of the Vietnam War, he served with the First Armored Cavalry Regiment as an Infantry Platoon Leader during his first tour, 66-67 and with the 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment as a Cavalry Troop Commander during his second tour, 69-70. He commanded the 2/63rd-3/37th Armor Battalion in Fort Riley, KS, 82-84 and the 3rd Brigade (Stryker), 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, WA, 88-90. He was awarded a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star (5OLC, 3 with Valor).
Beau was born on December 6, 1943 in Ventress, Louisiana to Alfred Wilmer and Cora Lee Bergeron. After graduating from LSU in 1965, he joined the Army and was assigned to Fort Knox, KY. He served his country proudly for 24 years and 8 months. He dedicated his life to mentoring, educating and advocating for soldiers and their family members. He loved being a warrior leader and protecting all those in his care. His jobs after his Army career include: Assistant and Director of the WA State Department of Veterans Affairs, Assistant Director of the WA State Health Care Authority, Manager for JB Management, Chapman University Professor, and a Senior Strategic Integrator for Boeing. He was a man who believed in positive changes and who always wanted the best for those he worked with and for.
While Beau accomplished a lot professionally, his greatest joy was his family. On August 31st, 1968, he married Judy Merritt in Huntington, WV. He loved his ‘Cher’ and they spent 50 full years adventuring together. He is remembered by his family as being courageous, fun, competitive and a ‘teller of tall tales’. He is survived by his son, Alfred (Joe), his daughter-in-law, Julie, his daughter Tara Lea Mowreader, his son-in-law, Jack, his sister, Adele Marie Olinde, his sister-in-law, Sandra Oldaker, his grandchildren, Baudilio, Ryan and Ashley Mowreader and Molly Bergeron, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Wilmer and Cora Lee and his brothers-in-law, John M. Olinde and Joe Oldaker.
The graveside service will take place at the Tahoma National Cemetery on Friday, October 5, 2018 at 12:30 p.m. The Celebration of Life Service will take place at the Mountain View Funeral Home on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at 2pm with a reception to follow. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Beau’s life. The service will be officiated by Pastor Kevin Sullivan. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (for Parkinson’s research) or the Alzheimer’s Family Center.
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