SLS 202ES-86 ORIGINAL
2020 Second Extraordinary Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 3
BY SENATOR FIELDS
CONDOLENCES. Expresses sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Senate of the
Legislature of Louisiana upon the death of James Michell "Jimmy" Bernhard.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of James Michell "Jimmy" Bernhard.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
5 Louisiana Senate have learned of the passing of James Michell "Jimmy" Bernhard, age
6 ninety-four, on September 25, 2020, at his home in Lafayette, Louisiana; and
7 WHEREAS, James Bernhard was born on December 4, 1925, in Baton Rouge,
8 Louisiana, to William and Christabell Bernhard; and
9 WHEREAS, he graduated from Catholic High School in Baton Rouge and was
10 honored by the school as a Grizzly Great; and
11 WHEREAS, Jimmy attended Louisiana State University, where he excelled in sports,
12 playing both basketball and football in 1943, 1944, and 1945, was captain of the football
13 team, and while in college, also played semi-pro baseball in Baton Rouge; and
14 WHEREAS, he married the love of his life, Barbara Savage Bernhard, on April 11,
15 1953, in Opelousas, Louisiana, and this union was blessed with four children; and
16 WHEREAS, the Bernhards resided in Baton Rouge until moving to Lafayette a few
17 years later to establish their family home and mechanical contracting business; and
18 WHEREAS, for over fifty years, Jimmy was a leader of Bernhard Mechanical
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SLS 202ES-86 ORIGINAL
1 Contractors, one of the largest and oldest companies in the state of Louisiana; and
2 WHEREAS, he was an active and dedicated member of Holy Cross Catholic Church
3 and an integral part of the Knights of Columbus, holding various statewide offices as well
4 as being a Grand Knight; and
5 WHEREAS, Jimmy chaired many charitable events in Lafayette, the most unique
6 being a fundraiser for Cathedral Carmel High School which hosted the famous Harlem
7 Globetrotters as entertainment; and
8 WHEREAS, he was generous with his time and talents, and his leadership brought
9 little league baseball to Lafayette; and
10 WHEREAS, Jimmy was preceded in death by his father, William F. Bernhard; his
11 mother, Christabell Clarke Bernhard; his brother, William F. Bernhard Jr.; and his sisters,
12 Bertha Bernhard Breen, Alice Bernhard McCrain, and Thyra Bernhard Richardson; and
13 WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their children, Jim Bernhard
14 Jr. and wife Dana Reneau Bernhard, Janice Bernhard Slaughter, Kenneth "Kenny" Bernhard
15 and wife Elaine Wimberly Bernhard; and Peggy Elaine Bernhard; his brother, Charles R.
16 Bernhard; twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces,
17 nephews, cousins, and beloved friends; and
18 WHEREAS, with the death of Jimmy Bernhard, Louisiana has lost one of its finest
19 citizens who was admired by all whose lives he touched and he will be greatly missed; and
20 WHEREAS, his passing has left a tremendous void in the Lafayette community, but
21 his love, smile, and personality shall remain eternally in the hearts and minds of his loved
22 ones, friends, and all who had the opportunity to meet and know him.
23 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
24 does hereby express sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the death of James Michell
25 "Jimmy" Bernhard; does hereby record and acknowledge his singular contributions and
26 achievements, and does hereby extend enduring appreciation for the pride and honor that this
27 wonderful gentleman brought to his family, friends, community, and state.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
29 wife, Barbara Bernhard.
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SLS 202ES-86 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 3 Original 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Fields
Expresses condolences upon the death of James Michell "Jimmy" Bernhard and records and
acknowledges his singular contributions and achievements and extends enduring
appreciation for the pride and honor that he brought to his family, friends, community, and
state.
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