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