Dr. Archie F. Breazeale, MD

Beloved by his community, Dr. Archie F. Breazeale, MD, passed away March 26, 2020. Archie was born and raised in Natchitoches, the son of Archie Frances Sr. and Cynthia Walker Breazeale. As a young man, he served as an altar boy at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and later graduated from St. Mary’s High School. He worked as a soda jerk at Millspaugh Drug Store then moved to a better paying position selling popcorn at the AMUSU Theatre on Front Street where he was later promoted to projectionist. Dr. Breazeale attended Tulane University and LSU where he met and married his wife Fay who was working a summer job at the Med school. He worked as a Hospital Corpsman at the Naval Hospital in New Orleans through the Naval V12 Program. He then received his Medical Degree from LSU Medical Center in New Orleans in 1948. He completed his internship at Charity Hospital in New Orleans and his residency at Charity Hospital in Lafayette. After his internship and establishing his private practice in Natchitoches, Dr. Breazeale was called to San Diego where he and Fay were stationed at Long Beach for two years. Dr. Breazeale was dedicated to his patients and colleagues at Natchitoches Parish Hospital. He took great joy in preparing food and cakes for all of the hospital staff and employees. After obtaining his private pilot’s license, he enjoyed serving as Medical Examiner for the Federal Aviation Administration. In 2013, Dr. Breazeale was selected as a “Natchitoches Treasure,” and was again recognized in 2015, when his community deemed Oct. 3 as, “Archie Breazeale Day.” After 63 years of service to the community, private practice and NRMC, Dr. Breazeale retired in 2017. An avid runner, he competed in road races and triathlons throughout the state. In the 1980s, he qualified for and completed the Boston Marathon. Weekends and holidays were spent camping, hiking and backpacking with his family. Kisatchie National Forest was his favorite refuge. Boating and skiing on Cane River were family favorites. Dr. Breazeale is survived by his wife, Fay B. Breazeale; son, David Breazeale of Natchitoches; and daughters, Lisa Breazeale Wells and husband Jim of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Julie Breazeale Weikel and husband Mik, of Arlington, Texas; grandchildren, Lauren Wells Strickland and husband William, Melissa Wells, Drew Wells and Rebekah Webb; great-grandchildren, Grace Winter Strickland, and twins Archie James Strickland and William Joseph Strickland; and sister, Jayne Breazeale Latiolais. He was preceded in death by his parents, Archie F. Breazeale Sr. and Cynthia Walker Breazeale; and daughters, Kathlyn Anne Breazeale and Alison Fay Breazeale. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 am on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with Rev. John O’Brien serving as celebrant. A private, family only, burial of his cremated remains will follow at Catholic Cemetery in Natchitoches. Everyone is invited to a reception at St. Anthony Catholic Church Hall following the mass.