SLS 18RS-2775 ORIGINAL
2018 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 90
BY SENATORS GARY SMITH AND PRICE AND REPRESENTATIVES GAINES,
GREGORY MILLER AND STAGNI
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences on the death of Clyde "Rock" Gisclair, former
assessor for St. Charles Parish.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the passing of an
3 exceptional public servant and friend, Clyde "Rock" Gisclair, former assessor for the
4 parish of St. Charles.
5 WHEREAS, Rock Gisclair led an extraordinary and blessed life as a Christian,
6 educator, public servant, businessman, husband, and father; and
7 WHEREAS, always sporting his signature cowboy hat, Rock was amicable and well-
8 liked by all who knew him; he was a pillar of the community and a knowledgeable scholar
9 of the history of St. Charles Parish; and
10 WHEREAS, as assessor, he was impartial in the determination of the fair market
11 value of fifty thousand parcels of commercial and residential property in his jurisdiction; the
12 ad valorem taxation revenue collected was essential to fund local school and library systems,
13 law enforcement, parish government, fire protection, and other vital services; and
14 WHEREAS, during his tenure, Rock Gisclair was an outspoken advocate of fairness
15 to all, especially homeowners and small businesses; and
16 WHEREAS, a lifelong resident of south Louisiana, he graduated from Hahnville
17 High School in 1953, and as a superior athlete, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers and
18 played professional baseball for four years; and
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SLS 18RS-2775 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, proud of his military service, Rock served with distinction during the
2 Korean Conflict as a member of the United States Army Military Police Force stationed in
3 the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea; and
4 WHEREAS, after an honorable discharge Rock returned home to work with his
5 father, Claudet Gisclair, in his father's barbershop; and
6 WHEREAS, using the opportunities afforded him by the GI Bill, Rock continued his
7 education by matriculating to Nicholls State University to earn both a bachelor of art's
8 degree and a master's degree in education; he served as principal at Riverside Academy in
9 Reserve and as an English and history teacher at his alma mater, Hahnville High School; and
10 WHEREAS, in the 1970s Rock Gisclair launched a grassroots campaign to run for
11 the elected office of assessor; he canvassed neighborhoods, walked door-to-door, shook
12 hands, spoke to constituents, and gained their trust; and
13 WHEREAS, Clyde Anthony "Rock" Gisclair took the oath of office on July 2, 1972,
14 and served as a highly effective public official for four decades; and with a heartfelt decision
15 not to seek re-election, he relinquished the office to the next assessor, Tab Troxler, in
16 December 2012; and
17 WHEREAS, during his tenure, the parish assessor's office evolved from "pencil and
18 paper" recordkeeping to fully automated digital information technology; and
19 WHEREAS, Rock Gisclair held membership in many prestigious professional
20 organizations that included the Louisiana Assessors Association, the National Association
21 of Master Appraisers, the International Association of Assessing Officers, the Association
22 of Governmental Accountants, the College of Real Estate Appraisers, the International Real
23 Estate Institute, and the Environmental Assessment Association; and
24 WHEREAS, after he stepped down as assessor, Rock established a successful real
25 estate business, Gisclair Properties; and
26 WHEREAS, Rock had several leisure pastimes that included hunting and fishing; he
27 was an avid collector of wooden duck decoys, with many of them carved by local craftsmen;
28 and
29 WHEREAS, Rock was a longtime resident of Luling, Louisiana; he was married to
30 Sylvia Keller Gisclair for sixty-one years until his passing on April 14, 2018; they were
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SLS 18RS-2775 ORIGINAL
1 blessed with a daughter, Tara G. Dufrene, and two sons, John Joseph Gisclair and Daniel
2 David Gisclair, six grandchildren, extended family, and many dear friends; and
3 WHEREAS, his commitment of forty years of public service exemplified all the fine
4 qualities of this proficient parochial administrator; Rock Gisclair gave his all to the public
5 he served with a lifetime of good works and unselfish acts to his credit.
6 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
7 express sincere condolences upon the death of Clyde "Rock" Gisclair, former assessor for
8 St. Charles Parish.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
10 acknowledge an extraordinary life well spent in the service of his country, his community,
11 and his God.
12 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
13 family of Clyde "Rock" Gisclair.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SCR 90 Original 2018 Regular Session Gary Smith
Expresses condolences upon the death of Clyde "Rock" Gisclair, former assessor for St.
Charles Parish.
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