Daniel Theadore “Dan” Broderick, a longtime Louisiana resident, military veteran and public servant, died peacefully in his sleep on September 22, 2026, at the age of 91. His obituary says he had experienced a sudden brief illness before his death.
Born in New Orleans in 1934, Dan Broderick built a life that included more than two decades of service in the U.S. Air Force followed by a second career with the Louisiana State Department of Labor. He eventually retired from the department after serving as head of the Employment Security Office in Natchitoches.
He was also a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His family remembered him as an honest and caring man with an Irish wit, a ready smile and a mischievous personality.
Who Was Daniel Theadore Broderick?
Daniel Theadore Broderick was born on October 8, 1934, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Ernest J. and Olivia Coke Broderick. He attended Alcee’ Fortier High School in New Orleans before beginning a long career that would take him to several parts of the United States and overseas.
Military service became an important part of his early adult life. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and eventually retired in 1971 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant.
His 20 years in the Air Force took him and his family to several locations, including Fort Worth, Texas; Biloxi, Mississippi; Taipei, Taiwan; Aurora, Colorado; and Naha, Okinawa. He ultimately retired from military service at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana.
Latest Update: September 30, 2026
As of September 30, 2026, Daniel Theadore “Dan” Broderick’s death has been confirmed through his published obituary. He died on September 22, 2026, at age 91.
The obituary states that Dan passed away peacefully in his sleep after a sudden brief illness. It does not provide a more specific medical diagnosis or detailed cause of death.
The family has chosen to hold a private memorial at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations in Dan’s name to First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches.
Cause of death: The obituary reports that Dan Broderick died peacefully in his sleep following a sudden brief illness. It does not identify a specific medical condition, so no further cause of death is being inferred.
Daniel Broderick’s Military Career
Dan Broderick entered the U.S. Air Force in 1951, beginning a 20-year military career. He retired in 1971 as a Senior Master Sergeant, a senior enlisted rank within the Air Force.
His military career also meant that his family experienced life in several different locations. The obituary specifically recalls assignments in Fort Worth, Biloxi, Taipei, Aurora and Naha, reflecting the international and domestic nature of his service.
After eventually returning to Louisiana, Dan retired from the Air Force at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City. His military service was only the first stage of his professional life.
Education and Second Career
Dan continued his education while serving in the Air Force. He earned his high school equivalency during his military service.
After leaving the Air Force, he began a second career with the Louisiana State Department of Labor in 1972. That career eventually brought him and his family to Natchitoches.
He continued his education while working and earned a master’s degree in Government Management from Northwestern State University. His education and professional experience helped prepare him for leadership within the state employment system.
Work With the Louisiana State Department of Labor
Dan’s second career lasted more than two decades. He became head of the Employment Security Office in Natchitoches and remained in that position until retiring from the Louisiana State Department of Labor in 1993.
The position placed him in a public-service role in which he worked with employment-related services in the Natchitoches area. His career therefore extended from military service into civilian government work.
His professional history is notable for the length of both careers. He spent 20 years in the Air Force before devoting another 21 years to the Louisiana State Department of Labor.
Daniel Broderick and His Wife Jan
Dan married Janice Anne “Jan” Wadsworth on December 22, 1951. Their marriage lasted 68 years, according to his obituary, until Jan’s death in 2020.
The couple’s married life included years of military relocation, raising their children and later traveling together during retirement.
After leaving their professional careers, Dan and Jan continued their love of travel. They reconnected with lifelong friends and traveled together in motorhomes, visiting beaches along the Gulf of Mexico and vacation destinations across Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Florida and Mississippi.
The obituary describes Dan as devoted to Jan until her death. It also says he was ready to join her again in the afterlife, reflecting the family’s faith-based remembrance of their long marriage.
Family and Children
Dan was the father of four children. His surviving children are Daniel James Broderick of Hall Summit, Louisiana; the Rev. Lindy Broderick of Shreveport, Louisiana; Karen Blocker and her husband, Howard, of Spring, Texas; and Dorothy Klein of Tomball, Texas.
His family extended into the next generation through five grandchildren. They are Vicki Risinger and her husband Aaron, Allison Murray and her husband Mickey, Travis Blocker, Katie Klein and Becky Klein.
Dan was also a great-grandfather to six children: Caleb, Asher and Hayden Risinger, along with Charlotte, Isla and Logan Murray.
His obituary also records several family members who died before him. These included his wife Janice, his parents, four siblings and his son-in-law Joe Klein.
Daniel Broderick’s Personality and Interests
Family descriptions portray Dan as a gentleman who cared deeply about his family. He was remembered as honest and concerned about the people around him.
His obituary also highlights his sense of humor. Family members remembered his Irish wit, his mischievous side and the smile and twinkle in his eye that became part of his personality.
Outside of his professional life, Dan had several interests. He became a licensed private pilot and was involved with the Lions Club. He and Jan also developed a strong interest in traveling during their retirement years.
Their motorhome trips allowed them to reconnect with lifelong friends while visiting destinations throughout the Gulf Coast and several Southern states.
Faith and Community Involvement
Dan and Jan were members of First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches. His connection to the church was part of his community life after the family settled in Natchitoches.
The family has asked that people wishing to honor Dan’s memory consider making donations to First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches rather than sending flowers.
The request provides an opportunity for people who knew Dan to remember him through a community and faith institution that was important to his family.
Final Years and Care
In his later years, Dan was a resident of Natchitoches Community Care Center. His family expressed appreciation for the staff who cared for him during his time there.
The obituary says the staff treated him as their own and credits their attention, care and support with helping provide him with a good quality of life and giving his family additional time with him.
That acknowledgment is included prominently in the family’s tribute and reflects the gratitude they felt toward those who assisted Dan during his final years.
Daniel Broderick Memorial Arrangements
The family will hold a private memorial service at a later date. No public funeral service date has been announced in the obituary information currently available.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations in Daniel T. Broderick’s name to First United Methodist Church at 411 Second Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457.
Because the memorial is private, people seeking to pay their respects should rely on the family or funeral home for any later announcement concerning public arrangements.
Quick Table: Daniel Broderick Obituary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Daniel Theadore “Dan” Broderick |
| Date of birth | October 8, 1934 |
| Place of birth | New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Date of death | September 22, 2026 |
| Age | 91 |
| Cause of death | Died peacefully in his sleep after a sudden brief illness; no specific diagnosis stated |
| Military service | U.S. Air Force, 1951–1971 |
| Final military rank | Senior Master Sergeant |
| Second career | Louisiana State Department of Labor |
| Leadership role | Head of the Employment Security Office in Natchitoches |
| Retirement from state service | 1993 |
| Education | High school equivalency and master’s degree in Government Management from Northwestern State University |
| Wife | Janice Anne “Jan” Broderick, who died in 2020 |
| Children | Four |
| Grandchildren | Five |
| Great-grandchildren | Six |
| Memorial | Private memorial at a later date |
| Funeral home | Blanchard St. Denis Funeral Home, Natchitoches |
Reader Questions
Who was Daniel Broderick?
Daniel Theadore “Dan” Broderick was a Louisiana veteran and longtime public servant. He served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force before beginning a second career with the Louisiana State Department of Labor.
When did Daniel Broderick die?
Daniel Broderick died on September 22, 2026. He was 91 years old.
What was Daniel Broderick’s cause of death?
His obituary says he passed away peacefully in his sleep after a sudden brief illness. It does not identify a specific medical diagnosis or further cause of death.
How old was Daniel Broderick?
Daniel Broderick was 91 years old when he died. He was born in New Orleans on October 8, 1934.
Was Daniel Broderick a military veteran?
Yes. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and retired in 1971 as a Senior Master Sergeant after 20 years of service.
Where did Daniel Broderick work after the Air Force?
After retiring from the Air Force, Dan joined the Louisiana State Department of Labor in 1972. He eventually became head of the Employment Security Office in Natchitoches and retired from the department in 1993.
Who was Daniel Broderick’s wife?
Dan was married to Janice Anne “Jan” Wadsworth. They married on December 22, 1951, and remained married for 68 years until her death in 2020.
How many children did Daniel Broderick have?
Dan had four children: Daniel James Broderick, Rev. Lindy Broderick, Karen Blocker and Dorothy Klein. His family also included five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Where did Daniel Broderick live?
Dan and his family eventually settled in Natchitoches, Louisiana, following his military career. His second career with the Louisiana State Department of Labor also took place in Natchitoches.
When is Daniel Broderick’s funeral?
The family has announced that a private memorial will be held at a later date. The obituary does not announce a public funeral service date.
Where can donations be made in Daniel Broderick’s memory?
The family suggests donations in Daniel T. Broderick’s name to First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches. The church is located at 411 Second Street, Natchitoches, Louisiana 71457.
Wrap-Up
Daniel Theadore “Dan” Broderick leaves behind a life that crossed military service, public employment, education, family and community involvement. From his 20 years in the Air Force to his later leadership role with the Louisiana State Department of Labor, his professional life was marked by decades of service.
His family remembered another side of that life through his marriage to Jan, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as the friendships and travels that became especially important after retirement. His love of travel, private pilot’s license, Lions Club involvement and connection to First United Methodist Church were also part of the story recorded in his obituary.
Dan died peacefully in his sleep on September 22, 2026, at age 91. His family will hold a private memorial at a later date and has invited those wishing to honor him to consider supporting First United Methodist Church in Natchitoches.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on the published obituary information for Daniel Theadore “Dan” Broderick. The report does not add medical details beyond what the obituary states. Memorial arrangements may change, so readers should confirm any later service information with the family or funeral home.
