Donald Ray Stories Abound Among His Family, Friends

Donald Ray Stories Abound Among His Family, Friends

CENTRAL — Everybody seems to have a favorite story about former Rep. Donald Ray Kennard.  Several of Donald Ray’s friends spoke about the eight-term legislator at funeral services Tuesday at Zoar Baptist — Jerry Alford, Dr. Clyde Lindsey, Dr. David Bourgeois, Jerry Stovall, Dr. Dennis Terry, Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Woody Jenkins, Bud Johnson, and Dr. Kevin Hand.  Here is a summary of their remarks:

Jerry Alford, who graduated with Donald Ray Kennard in the Central High Class of 1954:

We had moved to Central from the Istrouma area when I was 14, and I didn’t know a soul, but Donald Ray befriended me that first day, and we’ve been friends ever since.

A faithful friend for life and bondsman!

He was President of the Senior Class, Most Popular, and Most Likely to Succeed — all of which were well deserved.

Thank God for his life and his service!  The entire Central nation  should honor him for the love he showed for us.

In school, he played all sports and gave his all on the field.  He had determination, and he was an inspiration.  In the 1953 Wildcat, Gerald Phares wrote, “Never think of milking a cow without thinking of me!”  Donald Ray wrote, “Never forget our friendship and our good times!”

One of our best times was beating Baker 14-13 for the first time ever.  You would have thought we had won the Superbowl!

He was my friend, my pal.

As long as there’s a Central, there should be a place of honor for Donald Ray Kennard.  He’s our legacy as long as Central exists!

Dr. Clyde Lindsey, former Istrouma High coach and Superintendent of schools for East Baton Rouge Parish:

I remember when I was coaching basketball for Istrouma, before a game against Central, one of the Central players walked across the court to introduce himself to me!  It was Donald Ray Kennard!  I don’t know what he was thinking, but I remembered it.  Five years later, when he graduated from Southeastern, I gave him his first job, teaching and coaching at Istrouma.  A few years later, I recommended him for a position at LSU.  When he ran for the legislature, I supported him.

In 2001, he proposed for the first time the new Central Community School System.  I had been superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish and went to the legislature to testify for his bill.  Now, years later, we see the results of his vision!

To Mona, Robin, Stacy, David, and the grandchildren, I say, “Your dad was one of the finest men I’ve ever known!  Be very proud and happy.  As you go through life, you will always remember with joy the life of Donald Ray Kennard!”

Dr. David Boudreaux, Vice President of Nicholls State:

Donald Ray Kennard gave me my first job at LSU.  Working for him was fun.  We were always smiling!  He loved helping people, and that’s what he spent his life doing.  He gave me a chance and more and more responsibility. What a joy he was!

Dr. Dennis Terry, pastor at Greenwell Springs Baptist Church:

Donald Ray was a statesman, not a politician.  He loved Central, Louisiana, and America.  I remember on one occasion when we were meeting, he asked me, “Is there still hope for America?”  We agreed that there was.  Today, we should all pray and carry on the fight for this great state and nation, just as he did.

Jerry Stovall, All American football player and former coach, LSU Fighting Tiger football team:

When I arrived at LSU from North Louisiana, I had never slept in a bed by myself, never had an air conditioned room, never ate three meals a day.  Donald Ray entered my life, and he showed me what a college degree would mean for me.  He was truly one of my best friends and one of the people I admired the most.  I just wish we had spent more time together.

Woody Jenkins, served with Donald Ray Kennard in the Louisiana House of Representatives.  Jenkins served from 1972-2000, while Kennard served from 1976 to 2008.

See Jenkins’ column on Page 2.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco was Rep. Donald Ray Kennard’s seat mate in the Louisiana House before being elected governor:

When I arrived and was sworn in as a new state representative, the first person I saw standing there with me was Donald Ray Kennard.  He was already an eight-year veteran.  He took me under his wing and introduced me to everyone.

He was a true friend and one of the kindest, most caring people I’ve ever known.  He worried about you.  Donald Ray had the capacity to connect with thousands of people.  There are so many good memories because he touched so many lives.

Whatever Donald Ray asked, I did.  As governor, I supported his plan to create the City of Central and to appoint the first officials.

Donald Ray served honorably.  He never embarrassed anyone because of his personal life.  His Legislative Luncheons were wonderful.  It was an opportunity for renewal.  All his best friends were there and most of the key elected officials in the state.  It seemed as though the entire city turned out.

He loved our Lord, and he praised and honored Him.

I had a dream not long ago about heaven.  My son was there smiling.  Donald Ray, I know you’re there now, and Jesus is embracing you!

Bud Johnson, roomed with Donald Ray in college, later served as LSU Sports Information Director.  He was Best Man in Donald Ray’s wedding, and Donald Ray was Best Man in his wedding:

Donald Ray loved to tell stories, and he loved to enhance them!  I was the butt of a lot of his stories.  We met at SLU.  He had a scholarship, and one of his responsibilities was the training room.  One day, the head football coach, Stanley Galloway, came in.  He was much feared.  He told Donald Ray, “I need a rub down.”

Donald Ray didn’t know too much, and he put too much rubbing alcohol on Coach Galloway.  As gravity did its job, the rubbing alcohol dripped into places it shouldn’t have, and the coach was on fire.  “Boy, what are you doing to me!” the coach shouted.  Everyone in the room had a good laugh at the expense of the feared coach.  Donald Ray was scared to death about this incident, but nothing ever came of it.  Somebody told Donald Ray, “If you rub him down again, pour a lot more of it on him!”

Donald Ray could get away with anything.  You couldn’t arrive late for basketball practice, but if Donald Ray did it, the coach never said anything.

Donald Ray joined the Army and went through training at Fort Dix.  He became a jeep driver for a black Captain — a new experience for a Central boy in the early 1960’s. One day, they got stuck in the snow, and the captain said, “Private, get out and put on the snow chains!”  But Donald Ray said, “Sir, I’m from Louisiana, and we don’t know how to put on snow chains.”  The captain got out in the wet snow and put on the chains himself while Donald Ray sat high and dry in the jeep.

Donald Ray had some tough sergeants and NCO’s.  But one day he went to the top sergeant and said, “Sergeant, would you like to go to the Army-Navy game?”  They went together, and Donald Ray never had another problem.

Donald Ray and I were best friends.  Working for the LSU Athletic Department, neither one of us was comfortable going to bars.  So we spent our time going to athletic events and that kept us out of trouble.

Dr. Kevin Hand, pastor at Zoar Baptist Church and Donald Ray Kennard’s pastor:

Donald Ray loved a joke and a good sermon.  When people got together with Donald Ray, there was always laughter and a good time.  Donald Ray made the place special.

D. L. Moody once said to a friend, “Someday you will read that I am dead.  Don’t believe it!”

For the Christian, this is not the final day.

How does a person get to heaven.  Is it by works or by favor?  Paul said Jesus came to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

The best I have is not good enough for God.  But He knows we can’t do it by ourselves.  So He sent Jesus.  It’s not by our good works but by Jesus’ good works that we are saved.

When Miss Camille cooked a wonderful meal and made us feel special, it was Miss Camille who made it a special place.

Our greatest victory will be the day we get to heaven.  What makes heaven  a special place is that’s where Jesus is.  He makes it a special place!

Today is not an easy day, but it is a day we can celebrate!

By Woody Jenkins, Editor, Central City News

 

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