A. M. Stroud Jr.

1927 - 2016

Major General (Ret.) A.M.

"Buddy" Stroud, Jr.

Major General (Ret.) A.M. ("Buddy") Stroud, Jr. died during the early morning hours of July 1, 2016, at the age of 89, due to complications from a medical procedure. He was part of the "Greatest Generation."

Visitation is scheduled at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, on Wednesday, July 6, 2016, from 5-7 PM. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 AM at the First United Methodist Church, 500 Common St., on July 7, 2016, with Dr. Donald A. Webb officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Ave., Shreveport, La.

Throughout his life, General Stroud had a supporting and loving family. He was predeceased by his father, A.M. Stroud, Sr.; his mother, Grace Killingsworth Stroud; his sister, Killie Marie Brandes; the mother of his children, Barbara White Stroud; and by Richard Price, the late husband of his step daughter, Margaret Pearce Price.

He is survived by his loving wife of the last 21 years, Jane, who was at his bedside every day during his last illness; his four sons, Ansel Martin Stroud III and wife Joan, Daniel Garber Stroud and wife Helen, William Lee Stroud and wife Lee Ann, and Michael Allyn Stroud and wife Lea. He is also survived by his step children, Betty Pearce, Mary-Clyde Greene and husband Wiley, Margaret Pearce Price, Louise Pearce, Preston Pearce and wife Karen, as well as seven grandchildren and other family members including two nieces and a nephew.

General Stroud had a long and distinguished military career of 53 and 1/2 years, commencing in April, 1944 and ending with his retirement November 8, 1997. During his career, he received many awards, commendations, and honors recognizing his distinguished service. The numerous medals he received are too long to list, and such a list would undoubtedly detract from the true issue here. The dignity and character of this man are not adequately personified by the medals on his chest, but by the integrity of his character. His patriotism knew no limits, and he was fully committed to the defense of the Constitution of the United States and to the defense of our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

General Stroud was the second longest serving Adjutant General in the National Guard in the history of Louisiana. He was appointed to the position in 1980 by Governor David Treen and served under three other governors, Edwin W. Edwards, Buddy Roemer and Michael Foster. Additionally, General Stroud was

appointed director of the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness in 1989. During his tenure he was president of the National Guard Association of the United States and president of the Adjutants General Association of the United States. Prior to his becoming Adjutant General, General Stroud also served as president of the National Guard Association of Louisiana in 1962.

Under his leadership as Adjutant General, the Louisiana National Guard achieved recognition as one of the most outstanding Guard units in the country. 6,400 Army guardsmen from Louisiana were mobilized during Desert Storm and served with distinction in the effort to repel invading Iraqi forces from Kuwait.

Additional units under General Stroud's command trained and participated in joint military exercises with native units in the European, Asian and Central and South American regions. The Guard acquitted itself very well during these operations and received high praise from military observers for their performances. General Stroud's motto was "a commitment to excellence" and it was reflected in the training and operations of the Louisiana National Guard. '

General Stroud was instrumental in the development of the Youth Challenge Program, which has resulted in the rehabilitation of many troubled youths, giving them a sense of purposeful direction and a set of life skills necessary for productive and fulfilling lives. One of his enduring legacies will be the military museum at Jackson Barracks, which is named in his honor. He spent many hours planning its development to assure that it was a quality tribute to the men and women of the Louisiana Guard. This project was an example of his tireless commitment to enhance and expand the reputation of the Louisiana National Guard as a department of state government that served the people of this state. It was efforts such as these that led to his induction into the Louisiana National Guard Hall of Fame. He was also one of the first inductees into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame.

General Stroud was born on April 5, 1927, and raised in Dixie, Louisiana. He graduated from Belcher High School. He attended Baylor University and Texas A&M University. He received a B.S. Degree from the University of the State of New York. His military education includes the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas and the Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Army in April of 1944, and was subsequently commissioned a Second Lt. following completion of the Officer Candidacy School in September 1946. After serving active duty, he joined the Louisiana National Guard in June, 1947.

While a citizen-soldier, General Stroud was a farmer, a businessman, and the initial executive director of the Red River Economic Development Corporation, where he was responsible for obtaining many federal grants for several agencies in Northwest Louisiana. His private career ended in 1972 when Governor Edwin Edwards appointed him the Assistant Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard, where he remained until becoming the Louisiana Adjutant General in 1980.

General Stroud was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Ida Lodge No. 324, the Scottish Rite in Shreveport and EI Karubah Shriners. He, his wife Jane and step-daughter Louise were devoted members of the Ellerbe Road Methodist Church.

Honorary pallbearers are Brig. General (Ret.) Ralph H. Brown, Brig. General (Ret.) Charles R. Lindsay, Brig. General (Ret.) W. Arthur Abercrombie, Brig. General (Ret.) Edmund J. Giering, Brig. General (Ret.) Samuel deGeneres, Colonel (Ret.) Roy Nomey, Colonel (Ret.) Donald E. Wilson, Colonel (Ret.) Paul D. Alford, Colonel (Ret.) Lewis B. May, Lt. Colonel (Ret.) Jesse J. St. Amant, Jr., Edward L. ("Ned") Diefenthal, and Robert J. Shreve.

The family wishes to express its appreciation to the caring doctors and staff at Cornerstone Hospital in Bossier City. The family also wishes to thank Dr. Rick Michael for his concern and support throughout this most difficult time. He was a true godsend of comfort for the family.

Memorials may be made to any preferred charities, including the Ellerbe Road United Methodist Church and the Boy Scouts of America.

"I am, and hope to be, a God-fearing man that did his best, and have asked for God's mercy and forgiveness." - Buddy Stroud, August 9, 2010.