Stephen Anthony Berniard, Jr., 82, of Lake Charles, died Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024 at Cornerstone Hospital in Lake Charles. He was born and raised in Morgan City.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Creel Berniard; children, Valerie Berniard Quary of Milton, Benjamin Berniard, Stephen A. Berniard, III of Lake Charles, Jeffrey P. Berniard and daughter-in-law Melissa Wilson Berniard of New Orleans. He also is survived by his four grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

He was an attorney for over 50 years. Shortly after graduating from LSU School of Law, he served his country as a Judge Advocate General in the United States Army. During his service in the army he worked at Fitzsimmons Veteran Hospital in Denver, Colo. Upon his honorable discharge from the military, he moved to Panama where he worked as an attorney for the Panama Canal Zone. After moving back to the United States he made his home in Lake Charles where he began work as the director of Legal Services of Southwest Louisiana. He then joined the law firm of Raggio, Cappel, Chozen and Berniard in 1974 where he remained until his retirement in 2019.

He was preceded in death by his father, Stephen A. Berniard; mother, Nora Diez Berniard both of Morgan City.

Funeral service was held on Saturday, Oct.19, at 9 a.m. with a Celebration of Life 11 a.m.