James P. Bertrand, Sr., 71, died Sunday, September 26, 2010, in his home.
James was a native of Lake Charles and lived in Vinton for 20 years. He attended St Joseph Catholic Church. He was a horse trainer for 55 years and trained 3 world champion quarter horses. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren.
Survivors include his loving wife of 16 years Rebecca Sue Bertrand; children, Jamie Goodman and her husband Tim of Katy, Tx., Monica Russell and her husband Kelvin of Spring, Tx., James Bertrand, Jr., and his wife Tish of Lake Charles, Jaunesse Pitre of Sulphur, Farrah Merriman and her husband Kurt of Baton Rouge, Margaret Reeves and her husband Mark of Ragley, Samara Sabin of Sulphur and Greta Says of Vinton; sister Connie Fowler of Big Springs, Tx.; 20 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his son Vance Robert Bertrand and the mother of his children Anita Crudele.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 29, in Hixson Funeral Home of Vinton. The Rev. Fernando Susil will officiate. Burial will be in Mimosa Pines South Cemetery in Carlyss. Visitation will be from 5-9 p.m. Tuesday with a rosary at 7 p.m. and from 8-10 a.m. Wednesday, all in the funeral home.