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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 31
BY REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON
A RESOLUTION
To express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Don Patrick Descant of
Bunkie.
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
House of Representatives of the Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the death of Don
Patrick Descant on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at the age of sixty-three; and
WHEREAS, Don Patrick Descant was born to Metreades Dwight and Anna
McDonald Descant and raised in Bunkie; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School, Bunkie
High School, and later, Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe and McNeese State
University in Lake Charles; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant was an Eagle Scout and later served his country in the
United States Army Reserves; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant was a member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church,
where he served as a lector and Eucharistic minister; he was also a 4th degree member of the
Knights of Columbus in the Bunkie chapter; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant had a long and prolific career and was very active in his
community, including serving as a member of the Bunkie City Council, chairman of the
board of M.D. Descant, Inc., a member of the Bunkie General Hospital Board of
Commissioners, president of Louisiana Associated General Contractors and member of its
legislative council, a member of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors,
chairman of the Avoyelles Parish Planning Commission, a member of the board of directors
of Whitney Bank, president of the Bunkie Chamber of Commerce, and director of the
Hancock Holding Company of Louisiana; and ENROLLEDHR NO. 31
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WHEREAS, Mr. Descant is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Becky Newton
Descant; three children, Annie Catherine Descant Schmitt and her husband Jeffrey, Patrick
Newton Descant, and Megan Rebecca Descant; three brothers, Dwight Descant and his wife
Brenda, Trent Descant and his wife Gwen, and Chuck Descant and his wife Melinda; his
sister, Kay Descant Lee and her husband Jim; his grandchildren, Dane Descant Schmitt,
Jonah Newton Schmitt, Sebastian Peter Lemoine, and Nora Ophelia Lemoine; his step-
mother, Vivian Laprairie Descant; his father- and mother-in-law, Fred Peter and Doris Nell
Blakewood Newton; and many additional loving family members and friends; and
WHEREAS, with the death of Don Patrick Descant, Louisiana has lost one of her
finest citizens, a man of integrity who remains an inspiration to all whose lives he touched;
and
WHEREAS, although the death of Mr. Descant has left a tremendous void, his
memory shall live forever in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved him.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the
death of Don Patrick Descant and does hereby recognize that his enduring legacy shall
continue to be a source of great pride and honor for his family, friends, church, community,
state, and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
to the family of Don Patrick Descant.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES