BOURGOYNE RUSSELL N

WO1 Russell N. Bourgoyne was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 04/23/2024 at the age of 77.2
Clinton, LA
Flight Classes 68-19 and 68-33
Date of Birth 02/24/1947
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 128 AHC in 68-69
Call sign in Vietnam TOMAHAWK 10
This information was provided by Jim Haslitt

More detail on this person: Russell Norman "Rusty" Bourgoyne was born Norman Bradshaw Davis to Chesley Norman Davis, Jr. and Kathryn Mae Ivers Davis at Our Lady of the Lake Sanatorium of Baton Rouge on February 24, 1947. Raised by Villerie Lawrence Bourgoyne, his mother's second husband. He was a 1965 graduate of Baker High School. He enjoyed his misspent youth at USL and the Oilpatch. He was hired on with Enjay Chemical Company/Exxon Esso and enlisted in the US Army in 1967 as Warrant Officer Rotary Wing Aviation Candidate. He flew with the 128th Assault Helicopter Company 1968-1969. He received the Bronze Star for heroic achievements and 32 Air Medals. He also served as an instructor pilot. He retired from Exxon Mobil in 2003 with 36 years of service. He was a Life Member of the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Combat Helicopter Pilots Association, AAAA, and Alcoholics Anonymous, whose members were an important part of his life for over 40 years.. After Vietnam, he returned home and immediately married his best friend and sweetheart, Sylvia Lynn Burris. They raised their family in Baker and then Clinton, LA. They were active in the East Feliciana Parish School System, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, where he was a senior warden and lay eucharistic minister, and the Clinton Garden Club. Rusty served as an advisor to Explorer Scouts Post 60, where he was called "Chief." He is survived by his wife of 54 years and girlfriend of 10 more years, Sylvia Lynn Burris Bourgoyne; two daughters: April Marie Peterson and husband Col. Matthew Peterson USAR of Ethel, LA; Jessica Leigh Bourgoyne currently teaching in Uzbekistan; brothers Rev. Jesse Bourgoyne and wife Janice of Watson, LA; Emile Bourgoyne and wife Denise of Melville, LA; sisters Martha Davis Sexton and husband Tony of Guntersville, Alabama; Molly Creed and husband Stephen of Baton Rouge; and two grandsons: Andrew Peterson and William Peterson. He was preceded in death by his father, Norman Davis; step-mother Ruth Davis; mother Kathryn Ivers Bourgoyne; step-father V.L. "Bay" Bourgoyne; and son-in-law Gale Rabalais. There will be a visitation on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at St. Andrews Epicopal Church in Clinton from 2:00 pm until memorial services at 4:00 pm. Share sympathies, memories, and condolences at www.CharletFuneralHome.com.

This information was last updated 05/06/2024

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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024