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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 31
BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON
CONDOLENCES: Expresses condolences upon the death of Don Pat Descant of Bunkie
A RESOLUTION1
To express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Don Patrick Descant of2
Bunkie.3
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the4
House of Representatives of the Louisiana Legislature have learned of the death of Don5
Patrick Descant on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at the age of sixty-three; and6
WHEREAS, Don Patrick Descant was born to Metreades Dwight and Anna7
McDonald Descant and raised in Bunkie; and8
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, Bunkie9
High School, and later, Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe and McNeese State10
University in Lake Charles; and11
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant was an Eagle Scout and later served his country in the12
United States Army Reserves; and13
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church,14
where he served as a lector and Eucharistic minister; he was also a 4th degree member of the15
Knights of Columbus in the Bunkie chapter; and16
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant had a long and prolific career and was very active in his17
community, including serving as a member of the Bunkie City Council, chairman of the18
board of M.D. Descant, Inc., a member of the Bunkie General Hospital Board of19
Commissioners, president of Louisiana Associated General Contractors and member of its20
legislative council, a member of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors,21 HLS 12RS-1936 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 31
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chairman of the Avoyelles Parish Planning Commission, a member of the board of directors1
of Whitney Bank, president of the Bunkie Chamber of Commerce, and director of the2
Hancock Holding Company of Louisiana; and3
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Becky Newton4
Descant; three children, Annie Catherine Descant Schmitt and her husband Jeffrey, Patrick5
Newton Descant, and Megan Rebecca Descant; three brothers, Dwight Descant and his wife6
Brenda, Trent Descant and his wife Gwen, and Chuck Descant and his wife Melinda; his7
sister, Kay Descant Lee and her husband Jim; his grandchildren, Dane Descant Schmitt,8
Jonah Newton Schmitt, Sebastian Peter Lemoine, and Nora Ophelia Lemoine; his step-9
mother, Vivian Laprairie Descant; his father- and mother-in-law, Fred Peter and Doris Nell10
Blakewood Newton; and many additional loving family members and friends; and11
WHEREAS, with the death of Don Patrick Descant, Louisiana has lost one of her12
finest citizens, a man of integrity who remains an inspiration to all whose lives he touched;13
and14
WHEREAS, although the death of Mr. Descant has left a tremendous void, his15
memory shall live forever in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved him.16
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the17
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the18
death of Don Patrick Descant and does hereby recognize that his enduring legacy shall19
continue to be a source of great pride and honor for his family, friends, church, community,20
state, and nation.21
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted22
to the family of Don Pat Descant.23
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Johnson HR No. 31
Expresses condolences upon the death of Don Patrick Descant of Bunkie.