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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 110
BY SENATOR CROWE
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of former Southeastern Louisiana
University president, Dr. J. Larry Crain.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the2
death of Dr. James Larry Crain, former Southeastern Louisiana University President,3
former state commissioner of higher education, and former secretary of the4
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.5
WHEREAS, it is with great sadness that the citizens and the Legislature of Louisiana6
have learned of the death of Dr. J. Larry Crain on February 2, 2014, at age seventy-nine; and7
WHEREAS, a native of Washington Parish he taught science and coached basketball8
at Varnado High School before leaving to go to Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU)9
as a professor of Biology; and10
WHEREAS, Larry Crain met Edwin Edwards in 1970 when Crain was an assistant11
professor of biology at SLU, he heard Edwards speak and was so impressed with him that12
he introduced Edwards throughout Washington Parish; Edwards went on to win the13
gubernatorial election in 1976 and asked Crain to serve as deputy secretary, and later14
secretary, of the state Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; and15
WHEREAS, Dr. Larry Crain went on to serve as Southeastern Louisiana University's16
president from 1980 to 1986 before becoming system president for the Board of Trustees for17
State Colleges and Universities, which is now known as the Board of Supervisors for the18
University of Louisiana System; and19 SCR NO. 110
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WHEREAS, current SLU President John L. Crain, described Dr. J. Larry Crain as1
the one who "led the university at a pivotal time in its history during the 1980s and played2
a key role in transforming the institution from a small, sleepy college into one of the state's3
major regional universities, he will be remembered for his efforts to enhance the academic4
stature of the university during the 'oil bust' years that impacted the state's economy and5
severely affected the funding of higher education as well as other state services, he will be6
remembered as a man of integrity, who was committed to higher education and historic7
preservation"; and8
WHEREAS, in December 1993, following a contentious deadlock between9
supporters of Governor Edwin Edwards and appointees of former Governor Buddy Roemer,10
the Board of Regents named Dr. James Larry Crain as the state's higher education11
commissioner; and12
WHEREAS, Dr. Larry Crain was an avid collector with an interest in history,13
particularly the Civil War and Southern architecture, culture and genealogy; he was a14
member of the Civil War Roundtable, serving as the group's president; and he had "perhaps15
the finest collection in the world" of U.S. Martial single-shot pistols; and16
WHEREAS, Dr. Crain spent years restoring a dogtrot-style house on his17
grandfather's homestead in State Line, including a functioning syrup mill, blacksmith shop,18
and barn; and19
WHEREAS, he was a loving husband to his wife of fifty-seven years, Jean Lott20
Crain, (a very successful retired nurse and operating room supervisor who died just a few21
weeks after him on February 19, 2014) and a cherished father, grandfather, great-grandfather22
and relative whose love of family was of the utmost importance to him in his life; and23
WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,24
and the overall vitality of American society depends, in great measure, upon the dedication25
of people like Dr. J. Larry Crain who dedicated themselves and their lives to education, and26
to making Louisiana a better place for future generations.27
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby28
honor the extraordinary life and numerous accomplishments and many achievements of Dr.29
J. Larry Crain for the betterment of education and for Louisiana.30
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the31 SCR NO. 110
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family of Dr. J. Larry Crain.1
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Tammy Crain Waldrop.
DIGEST
Crowe SCR No. 110
Expresses condolences upon the death of Dr. J. Larry Crain.