By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

We’re coming down the stretch with a month left in the regular season, and once again, Parkway is in the thick of the race for the District 1-5A football crown.

But for the first time in five seasons, the Panthers have a win over Airline to their credit. And an offense averaging 56 points in their 6-0 start (4-0 in district).

The Vikings are the league’s two-time reigning champs. With last Thursday’s 48-43 defeat at Parkway as their third 1-5A loss – all decided late in the fourth quarter – they won’t repeat.

Who will take their place? Coy Brotherton’s “Dirty Red” from SoBo are a prime candidate. And they are this week’s Shreveport-Bossier Journal Team of the Week.

Parkway has been a fast starter in each of the last four seasons.

The Panthers were 5-0 before losing to Airline last year, 8-1 before dropping a last-play Week 10 decision to Evangel and then getting muscled out of the playoffs by West Monroe.

It was a 7-1 start in 2023, then came Airline starting a season-ending three-game skid including a first-round playoff exit. Parkway was 6-0 in 2022, bowed to a strong Byrd team beginning another fade, with only one win in the last four games.

This is the first time since 2021 Parkway has vanquished the Vikings.

“It means a lot,” said Brotherton last Thursday night. “They’ve been at the top for a while. Any time you can knock off the team that’s been at the top, it feels good.”

But there’s a different focus for the 2025 Panthers, who are determined to play Evangel in Week 10 for the 1-5A championship, and go further.

“We have the team to go all the way and win district, and I feel like we have the chemistry to do it, as well,” said senior quarterback Kaleb Williams, whose leadership and passing proficiency has juiced up the offense after he was shelved for the season with a Week 3 injury a year ago.

Senior cornerback Peyton Rayner, whose fourth-down tackle in the final minute halted Airline’s last chance, sees something the Panthers haven’t done since 2021.

“We can make a run in the playoffs,” he confidently stated.

Rayner is among the standouts on a stout Parkway defense. Make that a stout, aggressive, play to the whistle with mor than a little recklessness defense.

“That’s the mentality we’ve taken the last few years – we’re going to play defense, and we’re going to be tough,” said Brotherton.

“For us to be able to do that, we have to have that intensity in practice. We crank it up in practice, and we hit when some schools don’t.  It does carry over to the games,” he said after a penalty-plagued battle with the Vikings that included a copious amount of personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both sides, reflecting the intensity of the rivalry.

That “Dirty Red” brand is not a mission statement per se – but Parkway takes it to the edge, particularly when trying to slow down the prolific offenses in 1-5A.

“There’s a fine line there. There have been a couple times where I’ve had choice words for some kids, and there’s also some times that our aggressiveness has paid off,” said Brotherton. “We’ve created about two dozen turnovers and I think that’s because of the way we play.”

Standout defensive tackle Roderick Johnson said Parkway goes full throttle but tries not to go over the line.

“In practice we’re aggressive, keeping everybody going, not slacking, and I tell the guys, ‘be smart.’  But sometimes, things just happen.”

Johnson gets to play a few snaps on offense, in Parkway’s short-yardage bunch scheme. Last week, after quite a few plays as a blocker, his 12-yard touchdown catch from Williams was a stunner in the middle of the fourth quarter in a game with nine lead changes.

“I knew it was coming, sooner or later. We practiced it more than usual,” he said postgame

“Normally I play wing, behind the offensive line, but I went down to tight end because that’s the play. I blocked down, then I slipped and released for the ball.”

Asked if he might plan a TD dance if there’s a next time, Johnson didn’t hesitate.

“Nah, we could get a flag for that,” he said.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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Long before he earned his way into the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Wayne Smith, who started a school-record 127 games at point guard for the Bulldogs, was a kid with legs so bowed, he wore braces until he was 4.

Before he earned his way into Tech’s Hall of Fame, Gary Stanley was a graduate assistant who had no idea he’d soon take over the program and, for the next 35-plus years, coach 21 conference championship teams and 46 All-Americans.

Before he earned his way into Tech’s Hall of Fame, Billy Ryckman led the nation in receptions in 1976 and was so happy the next year to be a pro ballplayer that, on his first drive from Baton Rouge to his Lafayette hometown as an NFL rookie, he wore his Atlanta Falcons helmet while he drove.

Before he earned his way into Tech’s Hall of Fame, Sam Wilkinson was an All State first sacker for Fair Park and ballplayer at Henderson State who, as an equipment guy with the Houston Astros, answered the dugout phone on mid-summer day only to find out it wasn’t the bullpen: it was his old classmate and Tech football coach Pat Collins asking the guy who all Tech athletes would come to know as “Chief” if he had any interest in being the trainer and equipment guru for the entire athletic program. Since the game was on national TV and Sam didn’t want to be seen yakking it up with an old buddy on the dugout phone, he told Coach Collins he’d call him back. Which he did. And accepted the job. And became a Tech legend over the next 30-plus years.

True story.

And true stories. 

You can hear them all (and likely some exaggerations) when that quartet and four other Tech stars — All-American linebacker Ronnie Alexander (1967-70), lineman and four-time Southland Conference champion Randy Crouch (1971-74), former Mr. Basketball in Louisiana and two-time All-American Ray Germany (1959 and ’60), and two-time Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year Cheryl Ford, one of the most dominant players in Lady Techsters history (1999-2003) — are inducted into the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame in a ceremony Saturday evening, Nov. 1, in the Thomas Assembly Center on the Tech campus. 

Tickets are available by visiting LATechSports.com/Tickets and selecting Special Events. 

Tech will play football against Conference USA foe Sam Houston State Halloween night at 7 in Joe Aillet Stadium, and Homecoming Weekend will continue with the Hall of Fame induction ceremony Saturday. Doors to the TAC will open at 4:30 p.m., and an hour-long reception with a buffet dinner and cash bar starts at 5. 

The ceremony begins at 6 and will feature a 10-minute Q&A with each inductee prior to enshrinement. Conclusion of the ceremony before 8 will assure time for friends, family, fans, and the Class of 2025 to enjoy some unrehearsed time together on the TAC floor, which will be decked out for the event.

The Class of 2025 will be introduced on the field of Joe Aillet Stadium the night before at halftime of the Halloween game with Sam Houston State.

They’ll be dressed in costume; they’ll look just like Hall of Famers.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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JOURNAL SPORTS

The stakes are high on Thursday and Friday nights in prep football as postseason plans are determined this time of year.

Legacies are being defined in big league baseball. The MLB playoffs are in the League Championship Series phase, with only four of the 32 teams still standing. Do local high school football coaches notice?

Their focus is undeniable and it has nothing to do with the pitching rotations. But several coaches are admittedly MLB fans, although Byrd’s Stacy Ballew and Chase Thompson are representative of those who aren’t buying into baseball.

“I don’t watch any baseball,” said Thompson. “I don’t keep up with it,” said Ballew.

There is, however, a counterbalance.

MATTHEW SEWELL, Haughton: “I love Major League Baseball and always have. 

“I have a big affinity for the Texas Rangers and have since I was a little kid. It was a pretty disappointing season for them. They led the league in ERA for the first time in franchise history and had the best team fielding percentage ever in MLB l and still finished six games out of the wild card. 

“I do have some great memories with high school football and the MLB playoffs. I’ll never forget October 27^th, 2023. We were down 14-0 to Natchitoches Central, playing at NSU, and we came back. We went on a 80-yard drive and scored on the last play of the game and had a successful walk off two-point conversion to win the game. It was actually caught by a guy with a broken hand.

“After the game me and coach (Jason) Brotherton watched the end of Game 1 of the World Series. We saw Corey Seager hit a 2-run homer in the ninth to tie it and Adolis Garcia hit a walk off homer in the 11th to win it. That was a great night. I actually attended Game 2 the next day — the only game they lost in the Series.

“I have another not-so-great high school football/MLB playoffs memory. 

“My Rangers lost Game 6 of the 2011 World Series. They had a 2-run lead and were one out away from beating the Cardinals in the 9th and 10^th and winning it all. David Freese tied it in the 9th and Lance Berkman in the 10th. Then of course Freese walked it off in the 11th. 

“That was a Thursday night. We played Parkway the next night and we were an underdog and won that game. But I distinctly remember looking up at my buddy John in the student section throughout the game for updates on Game 7 and every time I looked up there, he’d be just shaking his head.”

GARY SMITH, Bossier: “I was a big Braves fan growing up but have lost interest since ever since I started coaching football.  I still follow MLB a little bit. I like to see the Rangers do well.”

JUSTIN SCOGIN, Airline: “When I was growing up I was really big into baseball and kept up with everything. For a long time I really kind of lost track until my oldest son got into playing and fell in love with baseball.

“Now we play Xbox baseball and watch it on TV so we are really connected at this point. I’ve always been a really big Cubs fan because of the WGN days but I really like the Orioles because of their young nucleus.”

COY BROTHERTON, Parkway: “I love baseball.  I grew up a Twins fan and Kirby Puckett fan.  I got to enjoy a couple Word Series and playoff runs, but they have been a disappointment in my adult life.  I’ve always gone to Rangers games and followed them during their playoff runs. 

“This year, I don’t really have a favorite, but I do like the Brewers’ youth and energy.  I’m pulling for them.”

AUSTIN BROWN, Northwood: “I grew up in a baseball family! My grandfather signed with the Yankees out of high school in 1959. 

“They didn’t have a draft back then so they recruited like colleges do. It is pretty cool to read those recruiting letters. We’ve got a bat and glove of my grandfather’s. The bat has his name on it — Oscar ‘Socks’ Pickering. 

“But I don’t follow MLB like I used to!”

STEPHEN DENNIS, Benton: “I don’t really follow the baseball playoffs that much now, but I was a huge Mariners fan growing up, the era with Ken Griffey Jr, Joey Cora, Randy Johnson, all of those guys!! Loved watching them play!!”

JOHN SELLA, Loyola: “Baseball is still going on??? The fantasy league I’m in ends around August so that’s usually when I check out. As a kid I would just be a fan of whatever MLB team my Little League team was named after.”

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By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Sports Information Director

The numbers tell the story very well. Centenary’s men’s soccer program is off to its best start in conference play since 2012 and carries a three-game winning streak into home competition Friday evening and Sunday afternoon at Atkins Field.

The Gents went unbeaten last weekend in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play and extended their season-best winning streak to three.

Centenary (6-5-2, 4-2-0 SCAC) edged LeTourneau, 2-1, on Friday in Longview, Texas and capped the perfect weekend with a 4-1 victory over Austin College on Sunday at Atkins Field. Centenary, now 4-1-1 at home this season, has outscored its last three opponents 13-2, scored three or more goals in a match for the fourth time this season and held an opponent to one goal or less for the seventh time.

Centenary now has four conference wins which is the most in a single season since joining the SCAC prior to the 2012 season.

Senior goalkeeper Casey Clemo was named the SCAC Men’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after he recorded 14 saves to lift Centenary to three straight SCAC wins for the first time in program history.

Centenary remains at home this weekend for a pair of league matches, facing the University of the Ozarks Eagles on Friday night (7:30) and Hendrix College on Sunday afternoon at 2. The Gents will honor their senior class prior to Friday’s match.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: The Ladies fell 1-0 to the Austin College ‘Roos on Sunday in a conference contest at Atkins Field.

The Ladies (1-10-2, 0-4-1 SCAC) are now 1-6-2 at home and were blanked for the eighth time this season.

Centenary remains at home this weekend for a pair of league matches, facing the University of the Ozarks Eagles on Friday afternoon at 5 and Hendrix College on Sunday at noon. The Ladies will honor their senior class before Friday’s match.

GOLF: Led by local golfers, the Ladies and Gents returned to action this week at the 2025 SCAC Preview held at Hawk’s Creek GC in Westworth Village, Texas.

The Gents shot a 36-over par 612 (300-312) to finish in eighth place while the Ladies shot a 157-over par 699 (348-351) to finish sixth.

Junior Aubrey Snell, a former Parkway High School star, led the way for the Gents as he tied for third place at 3-under par 141.

Sophomore Haylee Crowder, a former Haughton High golfer, was the Ladies’ top finisher as she tied for fifth place at 18-over par 162.

Next up for the Gents is the Belhaven Invitational on Oct. 27-28 at The Refuge GC in Flowood, Miss. and next up for the Ladies is the Abilene Intercollegiate on Oct. 20-21 at Live Oak Golf Club in Abilene, Texas.

VOLLEYBALL: The Ladies were swept by nationally-ranked ETBU on Tuesday in Marshall, Texas.

Centenary (2-13) returns to conference play this weekend as the Maroon and White hit the road to face the University of the Ozarks (Friday, 5 p.m.) and Hendrix College (Saturday, 2 p.m.). The Ladies are 1-7 in league play this season.

SWIMMING: The Ladies and Gents will open their seasons this weekend with a pair of conference dual meets against McMurry University in Abilene, Texas.

FOOTBALL: The Gents fell 55-27 to the Texas Lutheran University Bulldogs on Saturday night in the conference opener for both teams at Atkins Field.

The Gents (0-4, 0-1 SCAC) will return to action this Saturday afternoon at Lyon College (1-3, 0-1 SCAC) with kickoff set for 3:30 in Batesville, Ark.

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu

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This is a question that has been asked for centuries and I’m not sure if it can actually be answered with certainty. There are several different lunar charts that will predict daily/hourly game activity based on the moon’s position in the sky. But there’s one that I have come to trust and seems to be fairly accurate, the iSolunar Chart (yes, that is the correct spelling).

From an angler’s perspective, I’ll have to admit that there have been days where this chart was spot on in terms of predicting game or fish activity. After a fishing trip with Lake Fork guide, Johnny Guice, I became a believer. 

While on this fishing trip with Johnny, and after a slow start that morning, he made the comment that the major feeding time was not supposed to occur until around 10:15 that morning. Well, to say I was skeptical would be an understatement. 

Then at 10:15, his cell phone alarm went off and he made the comment, “Get ready boys, they should start biting pretty quick.” Again, me being a doubting Thomas, I chuckled in silence. But five minutes later all three of the guys on this boat started catching fish!

The bite was on, and we began to put fish in the boat faster than we could take them off the hook! I was amazed at the timing and accuracy of the iSolunar Chart as I thought to myself, maybe there’s some truth to this chart. 

From that day on, I’ve been using this chart to make sure I’m in my best area on the lake where I have found fish in practice. This chart basically predicts where the moon will be in the sky at any certain time of day.

Your best feeding periods most of the time will be when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot (the other side of the Earth). Turns out there is a correlation between the position of the moon in the sky with fish and wildlife activity. 

I cannot tell you how many times I have used this chart just to give me an idea as to what time of day I can expect the major bite (feeding period) to occur. But it can also have its drawbacks if you’re expecting the major feeding period to kick in at a specific time and it doesn’t.

This can have a mental effect on you as an angler if you’re counting on this chart to be correct. There are weather conditions that can also alter things, like an approaching cold front or major weather change. 

While this chart can help you in many ways, don’t rely on it totally. Again, game and fish activity can be influenced by many other factors. This chart is simply a tool that may or may not help you to be successful. 

So, whether you’re a hunter, fisherman or a bird watcher, check the iSolunar Chart the next time you’re planning your next hunting or fishing trip. You too might be surprised just how accurate this chart can be.

You can add this app to your phone for easy access by going to your app store and searching, iSolunar Hunt & Fish Times. ‘Til next time, good luck on all your hunting and fishing adventures.

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Derrick Pennington was a child of God, whose life exuberated his love for his family, church, friends, community, enjoying good food, and rooting for his favorite football team, “the Dallas Cowboys!”

Derrick’s light truly shined!

Derrick was born on November 5, 1961, to William Lee Pennington and Emma Lois Pennington in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was raised with his beloved “Big Sister” Cassandra in the Cooper Road area. He attended Northside Elementary, Linear Middle School, and Green Oaks High School. It was during middle school that Derrick became a part of the school band, with an emphasis on the trumpet. He continued his love for music by becoming a member of the Mighty Green Oaks Marching band, and ultimately the renowned Grambling Tigers’ Marching Band, where he was blessed to travel twice to Japan. Additionally, Derrick was blessed with a gift from God-a beautiful singing voice that captured the ears of many from childhood.

After college, Derrick served as a sales and financial manager at Tate Dodge, Elkins Nissan, and Suzuki, and as a Liaison at Lagniappe Hospital in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, among other business opportunities.

In the late 1980s, Derrick joined the Word of Life Center Church family, where he was a faithful member, a graduate of the WOL School of Ministry, served as a youth leader, and was a member of the hospitality and Praise & Worship teams, ultimately becoming an employee at the church.

On August 7, 1992, Derrick united in marriage to Kim Walton. From this union, they had three wonderful sons.

Derrick was preceded in death by his father, William Lee Pennington; his mother, Emma Lois Pennington Jones; and his stepfather, Max Henry Jones.

Derrick leaves to cherish his memories and the continuation of his legacy; his only sister Cassandra Law (Charlie), three sons Timothy Walton (Anquitra), Matthew Pennington, and Christian Pennington, four grandchildren, Adesina Walton, Aiden Walton, Aaron Walton, and Alexander Walton, one niece Joia Pennington Tippens, two nephews Jeremy Law and Joshua Law, two great nieces Kirah Tippens and Skylar Grace Law, and two great nephews Daylon Tippens and Cameron Tippens, and a loving host of relatives and great friends.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 11:00 am at Life United Church 4425 Meriwether Rd, Shreveport, La 71109.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Heritage Manor West, Christus Highland, Life United Church, Riverpark Church, and Aulds Funeral Home for their care, support, and kindness during this time.

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A memorial service for Lenora Mae Henning, 92, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana.

Lenora passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025, in Elm Grove, Louisiana. She was born in Marysville, Kansas, on November 29, 1932, to Kenneth Scheibe and Elnora Farrell. She resided in Elm Grove, Louisiana, for 55 years.

Lenora was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Clarence D. Henning, Sr., and her son, William Henning. She is survived by sons, Clarence D. Henning, Jr., and wife, Dora, Ricky L. Henning, Terry G. Henning, and wife, Silvia; daughters, Connie A. Rivera, Susan K. Henning, Debbie D. Henning, and Ashley Henning-Clarke. She is also survived by multiple grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Dr. Diane Lim and the nurses and staff of Willis Knighton of North Bossier. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, http://www.stjude.org, or http://www.shrinerschildrens.org>locations> Shreveport.

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Gwendolyn “Faye” Cutwright Robinson
October 26, 1941 – October 11, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church, Shreveport.

Lenora Mae Henning
November 29, 1932 – October 10, 2025
Service: Saturday, November 1, 2025, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Betty “Bet” Hudgins
August 10, 1950 – October 10, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 11am at Egypt Hill Baptist Church, Plain Dealing. 

Elzenia Himes Brown
August 15, 1940 – October 9, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 12pm at Peaceful Rest Missionary Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Sandra Crane Bergeret
October 12, 1948 – October 8, 2025
Service: Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 1pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport. 

Derrick Tyrone Pennington
November 5, 1961 – October 8, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 11am at Life United Church, Shreveport.

Gloria Jean Gaston
March 14, 1945 – October 7, 2025
Service: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 11am at Paradise Baptist Church, Shreveport. 

Susan “Sue” Elizabeth Schloss
June 25, 1941 – October 4, 2025
Service: Monday, October 20, 2025, 2pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Sandra Fay Johnson
December 21, 1936 – October 2, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10am at Rose-Neath Cemetery, Bossier City.

Patrick Yancey Bryant
December 25, 1958 – October 1, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 2pm at El Paso Mexican Grill (Youree Dr.), Shreveport. 

John Lucas Cocchiara
September 16, 1939 – September 28, 2025
Service: Friday, October 17, 2025, 10am at St. John Berchmans Cathedral, Shreveport. 

Sharon McCaskill
October 22, 1943 – August 20, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 2pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

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Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Tony Taglavore takes to lunch a local person – someone who is well-known, successful, and/or influential, and asks, “What’s Your Story?”

By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services

The power company had a plan.

“We had a marketing blitz to sell private lights to customers for their back yard. We could put them on existing facilities, or we could set a pole and a private light for security.”

And the company had just the man to execute that plan. One evening at 5:30, the supervisor and his team members sat down in a conference room. Pizzas were ordered, because this was going to take a while. Everyone was assigned a section of town, given phone books (remember those?), and started dialing for dollars.

“I had a lady on the phone and was talking to her about what we were doing. I was telling her we were selling lights for security reasons. ‘We looked at your account, and you don’t have (a security light). Would you be interested?’”

While holding his breath waiting for an answer, a friend of his in the room cracked a joke. The supervisor heard it, and “started laughing hilariously in the customer’s ear.”

Realizing he wasn’t being his most professional self, he “slammed the phone down and hung up on her.” People looked at me and said, ‘You can’t hang up on a customer!’ I said, ‘I know. I’ve got to do something.’”

He could have quit. Instead, he picked up the receiver (remember those?), took a breath, and called her back.

“I apologized profusely.”

But what did the customer do? She certainly couldn’t be blamed if she returned the favor and hung up on him. She didn’t. She listened. She bought.

“I ended up selling her two lights.”

61-year-old Brett Mattison, a Shreveport native now living in Bossier City and President and Chief Operating Officer of SWEPCO (Southwestern Electric Power Company), told me that story – and his story – during lunch at a place he chose, Fertitta’s Delicatessen. Brett had a muffaletta, a bag of Miss Vickie’s Sea Salt & Vinegar chips, and homemade sweet tea. I enjoyed a large Italian salad, a bag of Miss Vickie’s Jalapeno chips, and a bottled water.

“When that happened, I knew I could sell.”

Brett, who went to kindergarten twice because he was so young, spent the first half of his childhood in the Cherokee Park neighborhood. “I still remember the street and address. Periodically, I will drive by there just to check it out.”

By the time he began third grade, his family had moved to north Shreveport. Brett spent third grade at North Highlands Elementary School, then went to Trinity Height Christian Academy from fourth grade to high school graduation.

“I was a student who enjoyed being around people . . . . I was probably more outgoing and high energy. I made B’s and C’s, but didn’t crack the books and study all the time. I was probably more interested in getting up and talking to somebody than I was studying.”

Brett was also interested in music – he played trumpet in the school band until eighth grade – and sports.

“Without trying to brag, I was an all-state athlete in football. I played linebacker. I was one of the crazy ones who just liked to hit. It was fun . . . . I enjoyed the aspect of being in a position where I was always the undersized guy, so it made me try harder.”

And Brett’s father, who worked at SWEPCO and would eventually become President, was there to see it all.

“He was always present. Always. I can very vividly remember him when I was playing football. I would look up and see him leaning against his car. He never missed a game.”

While in school, Brett began working part-time for the late John Franks, a big-time oil and gas man who became an Eclipse award-winning thoroughbred horse owner.

“At 16-years-old, I would go to Shreveport Regional Airport with a Dooley and a horse trailer. All of the sudden, this big plane lands. Horses are coming off the back. (Mr. Franks) would go to Lexington, Kentucky to horse auctions and buy these horses. It was a great experience working with him.”

Brett thought about pursuing a career in oil and gas. He even worked as a roughneck on drilling rigs over water. But the cyclical industry was on a downturn. After a year at Kilgore Junior College, and a year at Louisiana Tech majoring in petroleum engineering, Brett decided to change course.

“Two years in, I was watching all these people graduate and they couldn’t get jobs.”

Brett’s goal was always to get out of school in four years. To be more specific, “graduate on a Saturday and have a job on Monday.” He decided his best chance of doing that was to get a finance degree. Sure enough, Brett got his diploma on a Saturday, and began work the following Monday at the old Pioneer Bank. He was in their training program, where he learned to do every job possible. But it was his four-and-a-half years at one of the bank’s branches where he learned his most valuable lesson.

“It taught me a lot about how to deal with people, because sitting at a desk, you never knew who was coming in. It could literally be somebody who was slinging a sledgehammer all day. It could be a physician down the street from Willis-Knighton (Health System). I learned how to deal with all facets of life. I got to really engage with people on their level because of the experiences they had. That taught me a lot about customers, about empathy, about trying to put yourself in their shoes.”

At age 27, Brett felt he had to make a decision.

“Do I want to do this long term, or while I’m still young, get into an area where limitless growth opportunity exists. I saw that with SWEPCO. There are so many factions within the company . . . . It’s such a multi-faceted business.”

Remember, I said Brett’s father not only worked at SWEPCO, but was its President. So surely all Brett had to do was tell daddy he wanted a job.

“He didn’t even know I applied until he realized I was working there . . . . I’ve always thought individuals need to stand on their own merit. I wasn’t going to pull that card.”

Brett worked his way to the top, with a big assist from his wife (Lori) of 33 years. That was especially true during a two-year period when Brett flew out of town on Sunday and returned on Friday. That left Lori home alone with four small children.

“She never bobbled. She never complained. Not at all. That was a heck of a commitment. She’s been 100 percent unequivocally supportive of anything I wanted to do.”

On the Tuesday we visited, Brett had been up since 3:45 preparing for a 6am weekly conference call. Every other day, he’s usually up by 4:30, going through his morning routine, which includes reading a devotional, a Sunday School lesson, and “putting everything in the hands of the good Lord.”

Brett also eats the same thing for breakfast.

“Non-fat Greek yogurt, blueberries, strawberries, grapes, homemade (by Lori) granola with cinnamon and a sprinkle of honey, and water to drink. Every morning. Every morning. Even when I travel, if I have to take it with me, that’s what I do.”

I was curious as to how Brett handles the stress – the stress of you, me, and more than half-a-million other customers who depend on his company for something as important as our electricity.

“There’s a lot of pressure, but when I go to bed at night, I go to bed. I’m just done. To me, when you know you’ve put your all into it, when you know you’ve done your absolute best, I just give it to the Lord and tomorrow is another day.”

Hoping Brett wasn’t about to tell me I was overdue on my electric bill, I asked my final question. As always, what is it about his life he would like to pass on to others?

“Never quit. Keep a positive attitude. Keep your heart and your head in the right spot. Don’t go park in Pity City. Before you do that, back up and think about the blessings you have. Start with you woke up this morning. You’ve got clothes on your back. You’ve got food that you’re fixing to eat. It will un-slump you. It will put you in a positive frame of mind . . . . You are only here for a short moment. Make the most of it, because you’re preaching your funeral every day by how you live.”

Now that’s advice which can light up your life.

The Journal’s weekly “What’s Your Story?” series is sponsored by Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.

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Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux has withdrawn his proposal for a temporary 2% surcharge on water and sewer bills that was intended to fund the demolition of large, abandoned apartment complexes and commercial properties across Shreveport.

The decision follows discussions with members of the City Council and feedback from the public.

“I have asked the Chief Administrative Officer to prepare the budget ordinances without the surcharge and without the intended uses of the funds that the surcharge was projected to generate,” said Mayor Arceneaux. “We welcome input from the Council and the community on alternative ways to address large property demolitions.”

The Mayor emphasized that the need to address dangerous, dilapidated structures remains urgent. The City will continue to pursue litigation against negligent property owners, seek state and federal grants, and explore partnerships — including potential assistance from the Louisiana Army National Guard — to help remove unsafe buildings.

“Blight impacts every neighborhood in our city,” Mayor Arceneaux said. “We must continue working together to find realistic and responsible ways to eliminate it without jeopardizing the City’s financial stability.”

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The Shreveport Fire Department received multiple calls for a report of a house fire on Oct. 13 around 1:45 am in the 3100 block of Milton St.

Engine 8 arrived on scene within 3 minutes and reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the front of the structure. All but 2 occupants were able to self-rescue prior to SFD arrival on scene. Crews made entry into the home and immediately rescued the remaining two victims inside. The victims were transported to local area hospitals with life-threatening injuries. No other injuries to firefighters or citizens have been reported at this time.

A total of 9 units, comprised of 27 firefighters, brought the incident under control by 2:13 a.m. Smoke alarms were present in the home at the time of the fire. The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation by Shreveport Fire Arson Investigators.

Photo: File Photo

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Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office Dispatcher Kelly Cooper was officially promoted to Dispatch Supervisor on October. 13.

Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington praised Kelly’s contributions, saying, “Kelly has shown outstanding commitment and professionalism in her service. Her hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. We’re proud to see her step into this new leadership role.”

This promotion is a well-earned recognition of her outstanding effort. We congratulate Kelly on this significant achievement and look forward to her continued success in serving the community.

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On September 30, 1955, 23-year-old Donald Gene “Don” Turnupseed was returning to his home in Tulare, California, from California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, California.  Don was a freshman at the college; in April of 1955, he had completed a four-year stint in the Navy and had enrolled at the college soon thereafter.  Don was driving east on Highway 466 (now Highway 46) in his five-year-old Ford Tudor on a trip that normally took about two and a half hours.  It was Friday evening, and Don was looking forward to spending a stress-free weekend with Barbara, his wife of five years.  Don could not imagine how stressful his life would soon become.    

At about 5:30, just before sunset on that Friday evening, Don had been driving almost an hour when he approached the intersection at Highway 41.  Don had to turn left to continue his trip to Tulare.  He was familiar with this drive and knew he only had to decrease his speed slightly because turning onto Highway 41 was more like veering than an actual turn.  Don could see about three miles in the distance on the long straight stretch, and the road seemed to disappear into the low mountains in the background.  Don saw no approaching vehicles, turned his steering wheel slightly to the left, and began to veer onto Highway 41.  Don was unable to see the low, sleek, silver-gray convertible sports car driving towards him in the opposite lane until it was too late.  The two cars struck almost head-on.   

Don, in the bigger, heavier car received only minor bruises and a cut on his nose.  The two people in the sports car were not so lucky.  The driver of the sports car was unconscious and trapped in the crushed car.  His passenger received numerous injuries when he was thrown from the sports car.  People who stopped to help found him lying unconscious on the side of the road.  It took an ambulance about half an hour to reach the site of the crash.  Ambulance driver Paul Moreno noted that both the driver and passenger of the sports car were alive when taken from the site of the accident, but the driver died during the 24-mile drive back to War Memorial Hospital in Paso Robles.  His passenger eventually recovered.  Don told the California Highway Patrolman on the scene, “I looked but didn’t see him coming.”  A driver who was just behind Don at the time of the crash said he also failed to see the approaching car.  Don was eventually released by the highway patrolman and told that he could “probably catch a ride home.”  Don flagged down a passing car and arrived at the hospital in Tulare six and a half hours after the accident.  It was there that he learned that the driver of the other car had not survived.  

Don was distraught and avoided speaking about the tragic accident.  He gave just a single interview, which was on the day after the accident, but reminders of the tragedy were everywhere.  Photos of the driver who died in the accident appeared on coffee mugs, plates, t-shirts, book and magazine covers, statuettes, and a plethora of other items.  He became a pop culture icon.  On July 13, 1995, almost 40 years after the accident, Don died from lung cancer.  He was finally at peace.  The intersection where the accident occurred is now a memorial junction named after the driver of the sports car who died in the accident.  That intersection is called the James Dean Memorial Junction.

Sources:

1. Tulare Advance-Register, October 1, 1955, p.1.
2. “Donald Gene Turnupseed,” Findagrave.com, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10990655/donald-gene-turnupseed.

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Handshakes, pro or con?

That is not THE question, but it became a hot topic among local high school football fans in the wake of the break from postgame protocol at the end of Parkway’s 48-43 win – with NINE lead changes — over crosstown rival Airline last Thursday.

It was the first time Parkway’s senior class had bested Airline on the football field, the Panthers’ first victory in five years of their SoBo vs. NoBo collisions.

Through 48 intense minutes, the game’s temperature was hot, bordering on boiling. Maintaining control, the officiating crew threw plenty of flags penalizing both teams for personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct. They might even have missed a few.

“It’s what you expect when Airline and Parkway play,” explained Panthers’ quarterback Kaleb Williams after his team’s 48-43 triumph.

But what you didn’t expect was for Parkway to pass on the postgame exchange of shakes.

The routine is more structured on the high school level, at least in these parts, than in college or the pros. Coaches and players line up at midfield coming from their sidelines, and march across, grinning (or grimacing) and gripping, or fist-bumping the other guys.

Not this time. The Panthers instead raced to their own end zone party with their people.

Eyebrows were raised. The Parkway coaches did, after directing their players to the end zone, take part in the handshake line. There is much mutual respect and friendship among the coaching staffs.

But in that moment, veteran Parkway coach Coy Brotherton said the best course of action was to avoid any chance of postgame confrontations.

“We’ve had some issues this year shaking hands. Nothing against those guys. It was a clean, fun game,” he explained while the PHS band was still blasting away boisterously. “We don’t want to risk anything stupid. I told our guys, ‘the only thing that can hold us back is us. Decisions that we make can hold us back.’ I told them enjoy the moment, see your parents, see the band, sing the alma mater, go home and enjoy it.”

There’s not another game on either team’s schedule that means more.

“Emotions are high. It’s a physical game,” he said. “We love the South Bossier community and we want to win for them.”

Emotions on any game night are not limited to the boys wearing shoulder pads and helmets.

“The key to the game? It was us! The student section, the hype, we kept them going,” said Melrose Beverly, a spirited senior Panther dance line member, who in her jubilation found a couple of gnarly reporters and delightfully said, “interview ME!”

“Pat Gray, Number 71 I think (correct, Melrose!), came over and told the band to play and get louder. And boom, we won the game tonight. It took the senior class four years to win against Airline, and we finally won.”

And what did she and a lot of other Parkway students do? They stormed the field – targeting the north end zone, not disrupting the hallowed handshake line.

“Abso-freaking-lutely! I was so excited to be down there. I was screaming,” she exclaimed (“said” just doesn’t cover it.) 

“My shoulder popped out of socket during the game, and my shoulder hurts very badly right now, and I’m going home and take some Tylenol. But yes, I was rushing the end zone, I was so excited, wishing I could be on the field.”

Quickly social media heated up. The negative vibes were flowing. Parkway showed bad sportsmanship, said dozens of posters, plenty in a less than sportsmanlike way.

Nonsense.

It was a great game, played by teenagers, cheered on by their classmates, between teams and fan bases that take note of the game date as soon as the schedule pops out each spring. The thrill of victory is not restricted to those in numbered jerseys.

Parkway earned the right to celebrate in any respectful way it wanted. Turns out passing on a standard routine was at the very least, the safe decision, maybe not necessary, but harmless in the grand scheme.

Brotherton and staff made plenty of good calls during the game. The one they made at the end was another.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

The local Week 7 high school football schedule doesn’t have a headline matchup like the last couple of weeks in District 1-5A when top-shelf teams Evangel, Airline, Captain Shreve and Parkway squared off, but there’s plenty of appealing games in the local districts this week.

The District 1-2A lead is on the line at Calvary Friday night when the Cavaliers entertain the Union Parish Farmers in a battle of teams with 3-0 league records. Calvary (5-1 overall) will aim for its 69^th straight district triumph against a Union team that is just 3-3 overall.

After an emotional 48-43 win over crosstown rival Airline last Thursday, Parkway will ride to Independence Stadium and face an explosive Huntington team Friday night in a 1-5A contest.

Captain Shreve tries to rebound from its blowout loss at Evangel and will face a tough non-district visit from perennial power Destrehan. The Gators were denied on the goalline at the end of a 46-42 loss to the Wildcats last year.

The 1-4A slate may have a spicy battle in Minden as Booker T. Washington visits.

In some under-the-radar games that might become noteworthy, Green Oaks hosts Homer while winless teams at Magnolia School of Excellence and Plain Dealing are home and do not appear to be dramatically overmatched.

Green Oaks was impressive pounding Bastrop on the road last Friday after having its record revised to 0-5 because an ineligible player was used in an administrative mistake.

The Week 7 local high school football schedule (updated as of noon Tuesday with the shift of Northwood at Bossier to Friday, not Thursday):

Thursday game

District 1-5A

Evangel (5-1, 5-0) at Benton (2-4, 1-3)

 

Friday games

District 1-5A

Haughton (1-5, 1-4) at Airline (3-3, 1-3)

Byrd (1-5, 0-4) at Natchitoches Central (3-3, 1-3)

Parkway (6-0, 4-0) at Huntington (3-3, 3-2), Independence Stadium

Non-district

Destrehan (4-2) at Captain Shreve (4-2, 4-1), Lee Hedges Stadium

 

District 1-4A

Booker T. Washington (4-2, 1-2) at Minden (2-4, 1-2)

Woodlawn (2-4, 0-3) at Loyola (6-0, 3-0)

Southwood (3-2, 1-2) at North DeSoto (6-0, 3-0)

Northwood (5-1, 2-1) at Bossier (3-3, 1-2)

 

District 1-2A

Union Parish (3-3, 3-0) at Calvary (5-1, 3-0)

D’Arbonne Woods (5-1, 2-1) at North Caddo (1-5, 1-1)

Homer (1-5, 0-2) at Green Oaks (1-5, 0-2), Jerry Burton Stadium

Non-district

Ringgold (2-4) at Magnolia School of Excellence (0-5)

 

District 1-1A

Arcadia (2-4, 1-1) at Plain Dealing (0-5, 0-3)

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Week 6 results didn’t alter local teams’ rankings in this week’s Louisiana Sports Writers Association Top 10 polls.

Evangel’s 71-25 rout of Captain Shreve didn’t help the Eagles move forward from last week’s 10^th-place ranking in Class 5A, but ECA picked up five more points in its second week in the Top 10.

Parkway (6 points, up 4), and Airline (1 point) got more voting support in 5A – Airline after its third-straight narrow loss, 48-43 at Parkway on the heels of defeats at Evangel (51-49) and to Shreve (66-56).

In the 4A voting, Loyola’s romp over Bossier kept the Flyers perfect and doubled their points in the state poll from 3 to 6. Northwood rolled 48-8 at Booker T. Washington but slipped a point.

Calvary posted a solid win at Homer and gained 6 points, but didn’t edge ahead from its No. 4 spot in the 2A Top 10. A collision between No. 2 Lafayette Christian and No. 5 Notre Dame this Friday might give the Cavaliers upward mobility assuming they subdue 3-3 Union Parish.

Voting by 11 LSWA members who cover high school sports in different parts of the state produces the weekly state rankings.

Week 7 LSWA top 10 polls:  

Class 5A

School (first place votes), W-L, poll points, last week’s ranking 

1. Karr (11), 6-0, 132, 1

2. Ruston, 5-1, 112, 3

3. John Curtis, 5-0, 108, 4

4. West Monroe, 5-1, 92, 7

5. St. Augustine, 5-1, 85, 5

6. Zachary, 5-0, 79, 6

7. Alexandria Senior High, 5-1, 68, 2

8. Central, 5-1, 51, 8

9. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 4-2, 48, 49

10. Evangel Christian, 5-1, 28, 10

Others receiving votes: Archbishop Rummel 13, Destrehan 11, Neville 10, Ouachita 7, Parkway 6, Brother Martin 2, Southside 2, Thibodaux 2, Airline 1, Carencro 1.

 

Class 4A

1. North DeSoto (9), 6-0, 127, 1

2. Teurlings Catholic (2), 6-0, 122, 2

3. St. Thomas More, 4-2, 108, 3

4. Plaquemine, 5-1, 87, 4

5. Iowa, 6-0, 81, 5

6. Franklin Parish, 4-2, 71, 6

7. St. Charles, 5-1, 69, 8

8. Archbishop Shaw, 4-2, 59, 10

9. Lakeshore, 5-1, 47, 9

10. Vandebilt Catholic, 6-0, 25, NR

Others receiving votes: Franklinton 22, Belle Chasse 12, Tioga 7, Loyola 6, Westgate 6, E.D. White 5, Northwood 1, Lutcher 1.

 

Class 3A

1. Jewel Sumner (8), 6-0, 126, 1

2. Madison Prep (1), 5-1, 116, 3

3. Bunkie (1), 6-0, 101, 4

4. St. James, 4-2, 97, 2

5. University (1), 4-2, 93, 5

6. Sterlington, 4-2, 84, 6

7. Erath, 6-0, 67, 7

8. Church Point, 5-1, 51, 8

9. Jena, 5-1, 47, 9

10. Lake Charles Prep, 4-2, 28, NR

Others receiving votes: Jennings 20, Amite 12, John F. Kennedy 8, Marksville 7, Pine 1.

 

Class 2A

1. Ouachita Christian (7), 6-0, 123, 1

2. Lafayette Christian Academy (3), 5-1, 118, 2

3. Dunham (1), 5-1, 110, 3

4. Calvary Baptist, 5-1, 98, 4

5. Notre Dame, 5-1, 89, 5

6. Catholic-New Iberia, 5-1, 82, 6

7. Oak Grove, 5-1, 64, 8

8. South Plaquemines, 5-1, 51, 10

9. Lafayette Renaissance Charter, 5-1, 30, 7

10. Mangham, 5-1, 26, NR

Others receiving votes: Kinder 21, Ferriday 17, Union Parish 10, Newman 9, East Feliciana 5, D’Arbonne Woods 4, Northlake Christian 2, Country Day 1.

 

Class 1A

1. Haynesville (10), 6-0, 131, 1

2. Jeanerette (1), 6-0, 120, 2

3. Hamilton Christian, 5-0, 105, 3

4. Riverside Academy, 5-1, 101, 5

5. Westminster-Opelousas, 6-0, 68, 10

6. Covenant Christian, 4-2, 57, 7

7. Kentwood, 3-3, 49, 9

8. Ascension Episcopal, 5-1, 45, 8

9. Opelousas Catholic, 4-2, 41, 4

10. Southern Lab, 3-3, 37, 6

Others receiving votes: North Iberville 34, Ascension Catholic 19, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 16, Logansport 10, Catholic-Pointe Coupee 4, St. Edmund 3, St. John-Plaquemine 3, Vermilion Catholic 3, St. Frederick 1.

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By DOUG IRELAND and RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

No SEC coach was less surprised to see Clark Lea transform Vanderbilt into a legitimate Top 25 program than LSU’s Brian Kelly.

Lea departed as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator on Kelly’s Fighting Irish staff to take over a moribund Vandy program at his alma mater. Now the Commodores are not simply a flash in the pan, as they were after beating No. 1 Alabama last season, but they are the No. 17 team in the country, 5-1 just like LSU, with the only loss a very competitive rematch two weeks ago with the Crimson Tide.

“It’s friendship and respect,” Kelly told the SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum Monday. “The respect I had for him when he was my defensive coordinator, and certainly (for) what he’s done at Vanderbilt. He’s got gotten everybody on board … and that’s hard to do at a place that hasn’t had that kind of one-sided commitment to football.”

No. 10 LSU goes to Nashville for an 11 a.m. matchup with Vandy this Saturday that no Tiger in or outside the program is taking for granted.

“He’s got a heck of a team,” said Kelly. “They’ve followed his process to the letter. They play with great traits, they play together. It’s a hard team to play.”

LSU will head to the Music City coming off an improved, but far from impressive offensive outing in last Saturday night’s 20-10 victory over South Carolina. The Tigers had life in a largely dormant running game (166 yards, with a solid 5.5 per carry), and a suddenly live arm from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (254 yards), but turnovers and mistakes in the red zone prevented LSU from doubling its point total.

“You treat each one differently, but we have to make sure they never happen again,” said Kelly.

Just when it was apparent that Nussmeier’s throwing range had improved, as Kelly had said, a new injury concern arose in the game. Already a bit ginger with a sore ankle, Nussmeier aggravated it on an attempted quarterback sneak near the goalline in the fourth quarter.

“He played with a swagger, made some mistakes, but I’ll take those because if he plays with that kind of swagger, we’re a better football team. We’ve got to run the ball, and we did this weekend. We have to do that more efficiently in the white zone, in the blue zone, in tough territory. We’ve got to get better but it was a really good start for us.”

Monday at his weekly media conference, Kelly predictably downplayed the ankle injury – which came after his quarterback finally showed the willingness to tuck the ball and run with effectiveness.

Kelly said the injury is not the dreaded high ankle sprain but a “medial” sprain, something that didn’t prevent Nussmeier from finishing the series and the game.

“We feel like he’s going to be fine,” Kelly said. 

As for his throwing ability, which was attributed to a “torso injury” and resulted in no throwing reps by Nussmeier during LSU’s recent open date week, all is well, per the coach.

“The bottom line is he’s healthy. His ab injury is on the right side of it, where he feels good. He didn’t feel any pain on Sunday coming in, so that’s a really, really good sign for us moving forward.” 

A very good sign was the productive return of tight end Trey’Dez Green, who had been sidelined with a sprained knee. He caught eight passes for 119 yards, including a 6-yard “big boy” TD snag.

“It opens opportunities for the wide receivers, because you can’t just put a linebacker on him. You’ve got to pay attention to Number 14,” said Kelly.

 

KNOW YOUR ENEMY

No. 10 LSU (5-1 overall, 2-1 SEC) vs. No. 17 Vanderbilt (5-1, 1-1 SEC), Firstbank Stadium, Nashville, Saturday, 11 a.m. (ABC)

Last game for Commodores Lost at Alabama 30-14 on Oct. 4. Vanderbilt had more than 300 yards on offense but a pair of red zone turnovers by quarterback Diego Pavia proved costly. Alabama scored 10 points off the miscues. The Crimson Tide controlled the clock in the second half and finished the game with more than 37 minutes of possession.

Series record and last meeting: LSU leads 25-7-1. The Tigers won last season 24-17 in Baton Rouge.

Vanderbilt head coach: Clark Lea (23-34 in five seasons overall and at Vanderbilt).

THIS AND THAT

Early betting line: Vanderbilt by 1½ points.

Betting tip: Six of the last seven LSU-Vanderbilt games have gone under the Vegas total. 

Number of Louisiana natives on the Vanderbilt roster: 2

Number of Tennessee natives on the LSU roster: 3

VANDERBILT PLAYERS TO WATCH

QB Diego Pavia (115 of 151 for 1,409 passing yards, 14 TDs, 4 interceptions, 352 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 60 carries), RB Sedrick Alexander (319 rushing yards and 5 TDs on 50 carries, LB Byron Longwood (26 tackles, 4½ TFL, 2 PBU), EDGE rusher Miles Capers 18 tackles, 8 ½ TFL, 4½ sacks, 3 QB hurries, DL Khordae Sydnor (15 rackles, 6 TFL, 2½ sacks, 4 QB hurries), PK/KO Brock Taylor 5 for 5 field goals, 31 of 32 PATs, 34 kickoffs for 64.2 ypk, 25 touchbacks, 2 out-of-bounds, P Nick Haberer 10 for 48 ypp, 1 touchbacks, 5 fair catches, 4 inside opponents 20, 4 punts 50 yards or longer.

DID YOU KNOW. . .

Vanderbilt has hired three head football coaches in each of the last three of four decades before Clark Lea’s hiring in 2021.

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Several members of the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office attended the annual Domestic Violence Awareness Program recently held at the Bossier Parish Courthouse.

The event brought together local agencies, advocates, and community members to raise awareness, share vital resources, and strengthen the collective response to domestic violence across the parish.

The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting victims and survivors, while continuing to work alongside community partners to promote safety, compassion, and accountability for all.

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Patrick Yancey Bryant passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2025 at Heritage Manor – Stratmore in Shreveport, LA following complications from a lengthy battle with diabetic renal disease and congestive heart failure. Pat was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on December 25, 1958, the “little brother for Christmas” that his older sister Paula had asked for. In 1966, his family moved to Shreveport where Pat attended St. Joseph Catholic School before graduating from Captain Shreve High School in 1977. He graduated from Louisiana State University, where he became an ardent Tiger fan, much to the dismay of his Razorback father, and was a lover of all things history – especially Oriental and Military History.

Pat worked for Business Music for 26 years before choosing to pursue a career in education. He earned a master’s degree in education from LSU-S, and taught Civics, American History, and World History for 16 ½ years in Caddo Parish schools before retiring from Huntington High School on his 60th birthday in 2018.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents H. Lee Bryant and Maggie Yancey Bryant of Shreveport. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Paula Bryant Koerner and Frank, his nephew Ben Koerner and wife Miranda, and their children Adrielle and Bryant, all of San Antonio, Texas, and niece Maggie Koerner of New Orleans. He is also survived by his special friend, longtime companion and caretaker, Robin McDowell. He had two sons, Zachary Bryant and wife Liz, and Joseph Bryant.

Pat’s family would like to extend thanks to Dr. Eric Smith, Dr. Stephen Kilpatrick, Dr. Stephen Ramey, Dr. Russell Fileccia, Dr. Carol Clemons, Dr. Jeffrey Gosslee, Dr. Gerard Henry, Dr. Joshua Worley, Dr. Kirk Grantham, and Dr. Bryan Randolph, and all their staff, for their continued care through the years, and to DCI of Shreveport, Amedisys Home Health, Ark-La-Tex Home Health, Willis-Knighton Home Health, Primestar Home Health, Christus Home Health, Palliative Care and Hospice, and Christus Highland Hospital, for providing care in his final months. A special thank you to Heritage Manor – Stratmore, and to Lifepath Hospice, and Father Duane Trombetta of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Shreveport for their care, compassion and support during Pat’s final days.

There will be no formal memorial service. Instead, friends are invited to gather at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 18 at El Paso Mexican Grill on Youree Dr to raise a glass, share a casual meal, and remember Pat. If you plan to attend, please contact Robin McDowell via Facebook or text, so we can give El Paso an approximate headcount.

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A funeral service for Marilyn Janice Kopf, 63, will be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Rose-neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr. in Bossier City. Burial will follow at Rocky Mount Cemetery in Ringgold. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Officiating the service will be Brother John Campbell.

Marilyn was born on February 4, 1962, to James A. Foy and Mable J. Woosley in Monroe, Louisiana, and passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Marilyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister who loved her family dearly. Her greatest joy came from being surrounded by those she cherished. Her home was always open, and her heart was always full. She nurtured deep bonds with her children and grandchildren, offering wisdom, warmth, and unwavering support. Whether it was a phone call, a holiday gathering, or a quiet afternoon visit, Marilyn made every moment feel special.

She enjoyed spending time with her loved ones, whether it was sharing stories, laughing over meals, or simply being together. She had a special fondness for word puzzles and could often be found working through them with quiet determination.

Marilyn also loved watching Westerns, playing rummy, and sitting on her porch watching the deer and hummingbirds. Those peaceful moments brought her joy and reflected the gentle spirit she carried throughout her life. Marilyn will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her mother, Mable J. Woosley; dad, James A. Foy; brother, C.J. Foy, and nephews, Christopher Foy and Kenneth Dewayne. She is survived by her loving husband, Kenneth D. Kopf, Sr.; daughter, Amanda Foster, and husband, Jermey of Orange, TX; son, Andrew Gunter; stepchildren, Amy Chitwood and husband, Josh of Dowell, Illinois, Kenny Kopf, Jr. and wife, Ashley of TX, Sandy Malone and husband, Michael of Breaux Bridge, LA; sisters, Mavis Davis of Blanchard, LA, Melba Baker of Bossier City, LA; brothers, A.J. Foy, Sr. and wife, Debbie of Benton, LA, R.J. Foy of Bossier City, LA, and Archie Andrew Foy of Ringgold, LA; 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her fur baby, Gizmo, and a host of other relatives and dear friends.

Honoring Marilyn as pallbearers will be Jasper Foy, A.J. Jr. Foy, Austin Foy, Anthony Foy, Dimitri Baker, and Josh Chitwood. Serving as an honorary pallbearer will be her faithful fur baby, Gizmo.

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Lenora Mae Henning
November 29, 1932 – October 10, 2025
Service: Saturday, November 1, 2025, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Dorothy Loraine Buser Gust
October 26, 1942 – October 9, 2025
Service: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 1pm at St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church, Shreveport. 

Marilyn Janice Kopf
February 4, 1962 – October 9, 2025
Service: Tuesday, October 14, 2025, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Sandra Crane Bergeret
October 12, 1948 – October 8, 2025
Service: Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 1pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Shreveport. 

Derrick Tyrone Pennington
November 5, 1961 – October 8, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 11am at Life United Church, Shreveport.

Gloria Jean Gaston
March 14, 1945 – October 7, 2025
Service: Thursday, October 16, 2025, 11am at Paradise Baptist Church, Shreveport. 

Susan “Sue” Elizabeth Schloss
June 25, 1941 – October 4, 2025
Service: Monday, October 20, 2025, 2pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Sandra Fay Johnson
December 21, 1936 – October 2, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 10am at Rose-Neath Cemetery, Bossier City.

Patrick Yancey Bryant
December 25, 1958 – October 1, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 2pm at El Paso Mexican Grill (Youree Dr.), Shreveport. 

John Lucas Cocchiara
September 16, 1939 – September 28, 2025
Service: Friday, October 17, 2025, 10am at St. John Berchmans Cathedral, Shreveport. 

Sharon McCaskill
October 22, 1943 – August 20, 2025
Service: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 2pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

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