SLS 21RS-2086 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 99
BY SENATOR FOIL
CONDOLENCES. Expresses condolences upon the death of Keith Whipple.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
3 death of Keith Whipple.
4 WHEREAS, it is with deep regret and profound sorrow that the members of the
5 Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana have learned of the passing of Keith Mitchell Michael
6 Whipple, age eighty-two, on January 16, 2021, after a courageous twelve-year battle with
7 cancer; and
8 WHEREAS, Keith Whipple was born on August 27, 1938, and was a native and
9 resident of Bourg, Louisiana; and
10 WHEREAS, he loved practicing law and enjoyed a long and successful career of
11 over fifty-eight years as a prosecutor, trial attorney, and indigent defender; and
12 WHEREAS, Keith was admitted to practice before federal courts, state courts, and
13 the United States Supreme Court; and
14 WHEREAS, he mentored many attorneys throughout his career and was the lead
15 attorney in several landmark cases; and
16 WHEREAS, Keith also served as a campaign advisor and consultant for many who
17 sought and held public office; and
18 WHEREAS, he served as First Assistant District Attorney prosecuting major
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SLS 21RS-2086 ORIGINAL
1 felonies, was a founding member of the Indigent Defender Board to provide legal services
2 for the poor, was honored by the Terrebonne Parish Bar Association for his many
3 accomplishments, and received the Elton Darcey Lifetime Achievement Award; and
4 WHEREAS, Keith Whipple was honored as an LSU Golden Graduate by the Paul
5 M. Hebert Law Center at LSU; and
6 WHEREAS, he was a past Grand Exalted Ruler of the Houma Elks Club, member
7 of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office Flying Posse, and founder and first P.T.C.
8 President of St. Matthew's Episcopal School; and
9 WHEREAS, throughout his life, Keith was an accomplished outdoorsman, who loved
10 to hunt and fish with his children, grandchildren, and friends; he loved farming his property
11 and generously shared the citrus he cultivated and grew; and he was an avid pilot and for
12 many years, owned and flew his own airplane; and
13 WHEREAS, in his retirement, Keith enjoyed precious time with his children and
14 grandchildren, teaching them to love and respect the beauty of the outdoors and how to be
15 a good steward of our planet; and
16 WHEREAS, Keith was preceded in death by his mother, Lola Ann Whipple, and his
17 granddaughter, Jillian Erica Keating; and
18 WHEREAS, Keith is survived by his beloved wife, Judge Vanessa Lee Guidry
19 Whipple; children, Walter Kirk Whipple and wife, Marilyn Morales, Amy Elizabeth
20 Whipple Anderson and husband, Greg, Ricky James Whipple and fiancé, Dominique
21 Bonvillain, and Dr. Christopher Keith Whipple and wife, Perrine Chaumont; grandchildren,
22 Brendan Joseph Keating and wife, Megan Durham, Calvin Blake Anderson, Juliette Clara
23 Whipple, and Pierre Christopher Whipple; and
24 WHEREAS, because of his numerous accomplishments in public and private life,
25 the death of Keith Whipple has left a void in his community and his state; and has created
26 a genuine sense of profound sorrow for his family, friends, and all who were fortunate
27 enough to have known him; and
28 WHEREAS, the success of the state of Louisiana, the strength of our communities,
29 and the overall vitality of American society depend, in great measure, upon the dedication
30 of men like Keith Whipple who use their considerable talents and resources to help create
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1 a better place to live for future generations.
2 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
3 does hereby recognize, acknowledge, and honor the life of Keith Whipple, pay tribute to his
4 remarkable legacy, and extend sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Keith
5 Whipple on the occasion of his death.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
7 widow, Judge Vanessa Lee Guidry Whipple.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot.
DIGEST
SR 99 Original 2021 Regular Session Foil
Expresses condolences upon the death of Keith Whipple.
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