By Lori Lyons
Contributing Writer

VACHERIE – Just a few weeks ago, Gaspard Brazan was standing before a group of St. James Parish students, regaling them with his exploits as the parish’s nuisance alligator hunter — including the times he’s been bitten.

Brazan, a native and resident of Vacherie, was an avid hunter and fisherman and had long been called upon when a stray alligator wandered where it was not wanted. And, once a year, he was invited to the annual Cajun Creole Day held at the Career and Technology Center to talk, not just about his duties, but also about his respect for Louisiana wildlife.

“He would bring all the devices he used, and he would bring all kinds of alligator products — belts and shoes,” said Rachel Schexnayder, who coordinates the annual event. “The kids were just enthralled. They could really relate to what he was showing them.”

But just days later, the St. James community was shocked when Brazan, 61, was killed in a tragic accident near his home in Vacherie.

According to State Police, at around 9 a.m. on Dec. 14, Brazan exited his vehicle on Louisiana Highway 20 near Louisiana Highway 644 to try to retrieve a dog that had gone missing from the Vacherie Deer Club. When the dog ran into the road, an 18-wheeler driven by Aaron August, 38, of Marrero, stopped suddenly to avoid hitting the dog. Another 18-wheeler driven by Jerold Washington, 26, of Gonzales, swerved into the other lane to avoid the first truck and hit a Chevy Silverado driven by Steven Wall, 60, of Thibodaux. Wall also had stopped to avoid the dog.

Authorities say Washington’s truck continued to travel and struck Brazan’s 2004 Nissan Titan, which was parked on the shoulder of the road, and Brazan.

According to Jody Chenier, a Deer Club member and Brazan’s longtime friend, Brazan likely was trying to keep the dog from causing just such an accident.

“He was concerned for the dog, of course,” Chenier speculated. “But his main focus probably was trying to keep an innocent person from getting hurt.”

Chenier said Brazan was the president of the Deer Club, which was his second home.

“He was always there fixing things,” Chenier said. “You can imagine the kind of guy it takes to get 60 men to agree on anything. He was a very good friend, and he will be missed.”

A funeral was held Tuesday for Brazan, who was born on Christmas Eve, 1950, at Our Lady of Peace Church in Vacherie, where Brazan served as a Eucharistic minister. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Schexnayder said she attended the visitation held that morning.

“I’ve never seen that many people at a wake in my life,” she said. “You could see just by the people in attendance how much of an impact he made on the community.”

According to his obituary, Brazan is survived by his wife, Peggy Hotard Brazan; his daughter, Brookes Brazan Waguespack, and her husband, Craig; two grandchildren, Jonah and Wyatt Waguespack; and sisters Anne Peterson, Lydia Dufrene, Rose Becnel, Essie Brazan, Patricia Bellanger and Cheryl Hubbell.