Allen Ray Bares

Funeral Services will be held at a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, August 18, 2008 at 11:00am at St. Pius X Catholic Church for Allen Ray Bares. Allen Ray Bares, devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 14, 2008, surrounded by his family. He died of complications of myelofibrosis. He was 71. Visitation will be at Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, Sunday, August 17, from 2:00pm to 9:00pm, with recitation of the rosary at 5:00pm by the St. Elizabeth Seton Rosary Group and also at 7:00pm. Visitation will continue on Monday from 8:00am to 10:00am. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Allen will be remembered for his abundant love of his family and his dedication to public service. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth 'Betty' Jeanne Baquet Bares, and his eight children, Camille Massie, Jude Bares, MD, Jeannine Martin, John Bares, Michelle Tober, Jacques Bares, Allen Bares II, and Elizabeth Mackie. He had 17 grandchildren who adored their 'Paw Paw'. He is also survived by one sister, Agnes Richard, and two brothers, Eno Bares and Emery Bares. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Oneida Bares, his brother Emmett Bares, and his sister-in-law, Grace L. Bares. Pallbearers will be Allen's son-in-laws, Jim Massie, David Martin, Eric Tober and Patrick Mackie; his nephews, Barry Bares, Wymon Bares, Stephen Bares and Luther Richard. Allen was born on September 24, 1936, and was raised in the LeBlanc community in Vermillion Parish. He graduated from Erath High School, LSU and LSU School of Law ('60). He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity at LSU and helped establish the Sigma Nu chapter at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After graduating from college, he joined the Louisiana National Guard and was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He began his legal career in Abbeville, and in 1961 he moved to Lafayette as an associate general counsel with All American Insurance Company. He was an organizer of Val-u Investment Corporation and served as its Vice President and General Counsel for many years. He was a practicing attorney in Lafayette for almost 50 years, and most recently of counsel with Oliver and Way. He also represented many interests as lobbyist before the Louisiana Legislature. In 1972, Allen was elected to the Louisiana State House of Representatives, and in 1980 he was elected to the State Senate, representing District 23 for 12 years. He was elected by his colleagues as President of the State Senate in 1988 under the administration of Gov. Buddy Roemer. He was a passionate leader in the pro-life movement and authored historic legislation to protect the precious lives of the unborn in Louisiana. He was active in education reform, serving as National Vice-President of the Education Commission of the States in 1985-1986. He championed tort reform and was a lead author of the 1987 Workman's Compensation Reform Act. As a French speaking legislator, Allen was a staunch supporter of CODOFIL, and was honored to serve as President of the Louisiana Chapter of the Association of French Speaking Legislators. For his work with the preservation of French in Louisiana, the country of France presented him with the prestigious Medal of Merit in 1991. Allen selflessly gave his time and energy to many community organizations, including the Boy Scouts, Kiwanis Club, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Serra Vocation Club and St. Pius X Catholic Church. He was the first elected President of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Allen was an enthusiastic supporter of the Boy Scouts, serving as President of the Evangeline Area Boy Scouts Council and was honored to receive the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts in 2000. He was an avid horseman, and enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. He was a faithful servant of the Lord, and an inspiration to all those who knew and loved him. His presence in our lives will be greatly missed, and we are honored to have shared in his life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Evangeline Area Boy Scouts Council, 2266 S. College Rd., Lafayette, La. 70508, the Carmelite Monastery, 1250 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, La. 70501 or to St. Pius X School, 205 East Bayou Parkway, Lafayette, La. 70508.

Allen Ray Bares

September 24, 1936 - August 14, 2008