2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 6
BY SENATOR CLAITOR AND REPRESENTATIVE FOIL
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of Joseph
Patton "Beaver" Brantley IV, a man of many accomplishments and a well-respected
attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
WHEREAS, Mr. Brantley was born to Joseph Patton Brantley Jr. and Phoebe Frances
Brantley on October 6, 1947, in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, the elder Brantleys returned to Baton Rouge and Beaver was educated
in school there, and as a freshman in high school, he earned an athletic scholarship to the
prestigious Culver Military Academy, an acknowledgment of his prowess in swimming; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Brantley eventually left Culver Military Academy and attended
Baton Rouge High School, where he swam competitively and set many state records while
swimming on the high school team; and
WHEREAS, as a competitive swimmer, Beaver swam for Amateur Athletic Union
(AAU), the Southern District of AAU, which consists of the states of Louisiana and
Mississippi, and in the 1960s, was invited to participate in the Olympic trials; and
WHEREAS, while still a relatively young man, Beaver's father died unexpectedly,
preventing him from attending the trials and precluding Beaver's dream of competing in the
Olympics; and
WHEREAS, throughout his life, Mr. Brantley was known as a person of many
interests and accomplishments, one of which was earning, at the tender age of sixteen, his
private pilot's license, leading him to fly to the Bahamas and to Hawaii; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from Baton Rouge High School in 1966, Beaver
Brantley continued his academic career at Louisiana State University and swam
competitively for the university; and
WHEREAS, Beaver entered LSU law school, received his juris doctor degree in
1972 and began his career in law; and
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WHEREAS, in the course of his career, Beaver Brantley became involved in the oil
and gas industry, founding several oil and gas companies and establishing his expertise in
oil and gas operational legal issues; and
WHEREAS, having attained the highest rating for legal ability and ethics, a rating
of AV by Martindale Hubbell, Beaver Brantley testified many times as an expert witness on
oil and gas issues and participated in numerous financial, business, and legal development
forums at LSU, Tulane University, and Rice University in Houston, Texas; and
WHEREAS, Beaver Brantley also had an abiding interest in the approval
development of the gaming industry in both Louisiana and Mississippi and was instrumental
in establishing that industry; and
WHEREAS, through an extensive email network, Beaver kept in daily
communication with a vast array of friends and family, bringing laughter and smiles to those
fortunate enough to receive these missives; and
WHEREAS, despite a busy and successful law practice and numerous business
endeavors, Beaver was a truly devoted family man, and he leaves to cherish his memory his
wife, Susan Hammett Brantley, and their sons, Brian Hollins Brantley and Joseph Patton
Brantley V, their wives and families, including two grandsons, Brant and Bankston Brantley;
and
WHEREAS, a well-respected and knowledgeable attorney, a devoted family man,
a lover of animals, a private pilot, and an engaging friend, Joseph Patton "Beaver"
Brantley IV will be sorely missed by his dear family and his legions of friends.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express the sincere condolences upon the death of Joseph Patton "Beaver" Brantley IV, a
man of many accomplishments and a well-respected attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Susan Hammett Brantley, wife of Beaver Brantley.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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