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Regular Session, 2012
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 74
BY SENATOR JOHNS
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Don Pat Descant.
A RESOLUTION1
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of Don Pat Descant of Bunkie.3
WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the4
Louisiana Senate have learned of the passing of Don Pat Descant on March 22, 2012, at the5
age of sixty-three; and6
WHEREAS, he was a native of Bunkie, attended St. Anthony of Padua Catholic7
School, and graduated from Bunkie High School; and8
WHEREAS, upon graduation, Mr. Descant attended Northeast Louisiana University9
in Monroe and McNeese State University in Lake Charles; and10
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant was chairman of the board of M.D. Descant, Inc., a11
construction company in Bunkie established by his father forty-eight years ago; and12
WHEREAS, he served in the United States Army Reserves, was a member of St.13
Anthony Padua Catholic Church where he served as a lector and a Eucharistic minister, and14
was a member of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus; and15
WHEREAS, in his formative years his goal was to earn the rank of Eagle Scout and16
he served on the Eagle Scout Review Committee for the Boy Scouts of America; and17
WHEREAS, he served on the Bunkie City Council, the Bunkie General Hospital18 SR NO. 74
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Board of Commissioners for twenty-four years, and as the past president of the Bunkie1
Chamber of Commerce; and2
WHEREAS, he was also past president of the Louisiana Associated General3
Contractors and served on its legislative council; and4
WHEREAS, he was a former member of the Louisiana Licensing Board of5
Contractors and served as chairman of the Avoyelles Parish Planning Commission; and6
WHEREAS, Mr. Descant was a member of the Hancock Holding Company and7
served on its compensation committee, and was recently named to the board of directors of8
Whitney Bank; and9
WHEREAS, he is preceded in death by his parents, Metreades Dwight and Anna10
McDonald Descant; and11
WHEREAS, he is survived by his loving wife of forty-two years, Becky Newton12
Descant; three children, Annie Catherine Descant Schmitt and her husband Jeffrey, Patrick13
Newton Descant, and Megan Rebecca Descant; three brothers, Dwight Descant and his wife14
Brenda, Trent Descant and his wife Gwen, and Chuck Descant and his wife Melinda; his15
sister, Kay Descant Lee and her husband Jim; his grandchildren, Dane Descant Schmitt,16
Jonah Newton Schmitt, Sebastien Peter Lemoine, and Nora Ophelia Lemoine; his17
stepmother, Vivian Laprairie Descant; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred Peter and18
Doris Nell Blakewood Newton; and numerous loving family and friends; and19
WHEREAS, with the death of Mr. Descant, Louisiana lost one of its finest citizens20
and a true gentleman who left an indelible mark on the lives of those he touched; and21
WHEREAS, although his passing left a tremendous void in his community and state,22
his memory shall live on in the minds and hearts of all who knew and loved him.23
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana24
does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of Don Pat Descant,25
and does hereby recognize the incomparable legacy which is marked by the deep pride and26
honor that he brought to his family, friends, community, and the state of Louisiana.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the28
family of Don Pat Descant.29 SR NO. 74
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Nancy Vicknair.
DIGEST
Johns SR No.
Expresses condolences upon the death of Don Pat Descant.