Obituary of Jimmy Benjamin LaBuff

Jimmy B. LaBuff Sr. January 4, 1937 May 25, 2016 Kinder- Jimmy B. LaBuff, 79, passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 11:25PM surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Kinder and lived there his entire life. He loved hunting, fishing, and cooking for family and friends. He was a graduate of McNeese State University obtaining his BS Degree in 1959 and Master’s Degree in 1965 with 60 hours plus from Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University 1975-1984. He served as a teacher and worked in Jeff Davis and Allen Parish schools. In June of 1970 he became a Federal Program Administrator for the Allen Parish School System. In 1978 he was appointed Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance. He became Superintendent of Schools in1990 and remained in that position until he retired in July of 1995. He remained a member of the Allen Parish Retired Teacher Association until his death. He was also an active member of the Louisiana Teacher Association until he retired and maintained membership in the retired Teacher and Superintendent Associations respectively. He served as the State Superintendent liaison to the Louisiana Legislature for four years, 1991-1995. He was a driving force to pass legislation for free college tuition to help Allen Parish teachers obtain certificates in their respective fields. He also served on the first Governor’s Education Task Force during Governor Edwin Edwards’ administration from 1993-1994. He also served as a member of the Advisory Council on Secondary Elementary Education to the BESE Board. He was instrumental in implementing and establishing the very first full blown Pre-School Four Year Old Educational Program in the state of Louisiana in 1993 which has become mandatory today. He served as President of the Southwest Louisiana Superintendent’s Association in 1993. Mr. LaBuff was in private business. Also, he built and operated Kinder’s first fast food restaurant in 1979. It is called Fausto’s today. He also was part owner of the Kinder Independent Insurance Agency 1975-1979. He was owner/operator of LaBuff Amoco and Texaco Service Station 1969-1975. He also operated J&J Trucking Inc. 1977-1980. Mr. LaBuff was also active in civic affairs: he was a past President of the Kinder Rotary Club and a charter member of the Kinder Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Kinder Athletic Association and a Kinder Lions Club member. During his coaching career he never experienced a losing season. His teams entered the State playoffs every year of his career at Fenton and Kinder High Schools respectively. He was voted Coach of the Year three times by his peers in two different districts. Mr. LaBuff served as a member of the Louisiana Department of Labor Fifth Planning LW50 District. He was elected Chairman of the District Youth Council which was composed of Allen, Beauregard, and Vernon Parishes. This counsel provided funding for underprivileged youth to educate and better themselves. He also served on the Allen Outreach Council which was a group managing and generating funds for youth and adults addicted to drugs and alcohol for treatment. In 1996, following his retirement as a businessman and educator, Mr. LaBuff became employed by Wackenhut, now GEO, a worldwide privatized prison management corporation. He worked as a counselor and programs coordinator for the inmate population. He was a member of the Old Congregational Church of Kinder, now called The Kinder Bible Church. He was a former usher and Sunday School teacher at his Church. Preceded in death by his parents, Ettie and Harold C. LaBuff; brother, Frank LaBuff; sister, Ila Belle Fontenot. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, JoElla L. LaBuff; six children, Charles LaBuff and wife Becky of Kinder, Michael LaBuff and wife Kristina of Kinder, Andrea LaBuff of League City, TX, Jimmy LaBuff Jr. and companion Wendy Ortego of Kinder, Scott LaBuff and wife Kimberly of Kinder, Jill Cooley and husband Keith of Kinder; brother, Jack LaBuff of Kill Devil Hills, NC; 18 grandchildren, Joshua Barrow, Chelsea McCabe, Kasey Langhofer, Shea LeDoux, Stone LaBuff, Shelby LaBuff, Gabriella Hickey, Alex Hickey, Alexis Hickey, Dylan LaBuff, Ian LaBuff, Isabel LaBuff, Welles Cooley, Grant Cooley, Griffin Cooley, Julia Wiiliams, Kelley Huff, Kyle Halter; 5 great grandchildren, Quinn McCabe, Grayson Langhofer, Blake Langhofer, Brody Hanson, and Ronan LeDoux. Funeral service will be held Friday, May 27, 2016 at 4PM at Kinder Bible Church. Rev. Don Barrett will officiate. Burial will follow in Kinder McRill Cemetery under the direction of Reed Funeral Home of Kinder. Visitation will begin Friday at 10AM at Kinder Bible Church until time of service. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to his nephew, Drew J. Fontenot, for his love and dedication throughout the years. In lieu of flowers, please donate gifts in memorial to Camp Pearl and Kinder Bible Church Mission Fund. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.reedfuneralhomeofkinder.com