ENROLLED
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2014
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 59
BY REPRESENTATIVES HUVAL, BARRAS, STUART BISHOP, CHAMPAGNE, COX,
HENSGENS, NANCY LANDRY, TERRY LANDRY, AND ROBI DEAUX AND
SENATORS CORTEZ, GUILLORY, MILLS, AND PERRY
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To express the condolences of the legislature upon the death of John Thomas Raymond and
to recognize and record his many contributions to the city of Breaux Bridge and the
state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, upon the death of John Thomas Raymond, on Saturday, March 22,
2014, Louisiana has lost an able leader, a man whose accomplishments were enormous; and
WHEREAS, John Thomas Raymond began his distinguished military career during
World War II when he enlisted in the United States Navy for one year; he joined the United
States Army in 1950, and one year later, in 1951, he was commissioned as an officer; his
military career was nothing short of admirable, as it included a tour in the Korean War,
during which he served as a platoon leader in the 5th Regimental Combat Team and as the
platoon's youngest company commander; and
WHEREAS, his notable training in the military included paratrooper, jumpmaster,
ranger, and mountain climbing schools; while in Korea, John Thomas Raymond joined the
newly formed 77th Special Forces Group, which he took to Thailand in 1954, to organize
the Thai special forces; and
WHEREAS, John Thomas Raymond remained in Thailand to reorganize and train
the Royal Thai Army Ranger Battalion in special operations, and as a result of his admirable
contributions, he was recognized at a fiftieth anniversary ceremony in 2004 as the father of
the Royal Thai Army's special forces; after he returned from Thailand in 1955, John Thomas
Raymond joined the 82nd Airborne Division and completed a tour in Vietnam in 1968 and
retired from the United States Army in 1969 as a lieutenant colonel; and ENROLLEDHCR NO. 59
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, John Thomas Raymond received numerous medals and awards in
recognition of his military career, those of which included the Silver Star, the Legion of
Merit with oak leaf cluster, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Army
Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, and the Gold
Star; during his service in Korea, he was decorated for bravery and meritorious service by
the United States, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, since he retired from the military in 1969, John Thomas Raymond
served as a local businessman and civic leader, who worked in the healthcare industry; and
WHEREAS, John Thomas Raymond was founder and co-owner of the St. Agnes
Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, which opened in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, in 1984;
he was the first administrator of Gary Memorial Hospital and devoted his time as a Breaux
Bridge city councilman; and
WHEREAS, John Thomas Raymond, along with a business partner, opened Buck
and Johnny's restaurant in Breaux Bridge, which is located in a former building that his
father worked in during the 1950s and 1960s; and
WHEREAS, John Thomas Raymond was an acclaimed businessman with many
interests, and in addition to his business interests, he had been active in numerous civic
activities, including the Atchafalaya Basin Board and the Louisiana Boxing Commission;
he was also instrumental in the formation of the Louisiana Military Hall of Fame and
Museum in Abbeville, Louisiana, and in the Breaux Bridge Downtown Merchants
Association; and
WHEREAS, John Thomas Raymond served on the Louisiana Nursing Home
Association Board of Directors for many years and was known for his dedication to his
community by being selected as King Agricole II of the Krewe de St. Martin; and
WHEREAS, the members of the legislature wish to recognize John Thomas
Raymond for his numerous accomplishments and contributions to the city of Breaux Bridge
and the state of Louisiana and especially wish to convey their deepest sympathy to his
family: his wife, Coatney Sibley Raymond; his son, John R. "Bobby" Raymond and his wife,
DeAnna; his daughters, Renee R. Delahoussaye and Carol Raymond; his grandson, John C.
Raymond and his wife, Joy; his great granddaughter, Sadie Laine Raymond; his stepsons,
Barrett Reid Branch and his wife, Angel, Byron Branch and his wife, Rhonda, and Beau ENROLLEDHCR NO. 59
Page 3 of 3
Branch and his wife, Wendy; his five stepgrandchildren, Sydney Branch, Barry Branch,
Deuce Hardy, Julian Branch, and Tylor Guillot.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize and record the many accomplishments of John Thomas Raymond, and does extend
to his family the sincere sympathy of all members of the legislature upon his death.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family members of John Thomas Raymond.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE