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Richard Dardenne Obituary

Richard James Dardenne died peacefully on June 19, 2018, in Fort Worth, Texas, where he resided. He was 62. He was a graduate of Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, where he was named Outstanding Basketball Player and Outstanding Track Athlete. He attended LSU and was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Richard loved God, his family, basketball and LSU, though some in jest would suggest not necessarily in that order. He established a successful career in sales management for major sporting goods companies before opting to pursue his calling and true passion as a high school coach and athletic director. In his first year as a basketball coach he had only six players, his "Dirty Half Dozen," but they were the foundation for a program that he led to four state championships. His team won their first championship in 2002, then two more in a row, culminating with him being named the New Balance National Coach of the Year in 2004. Medical issues forced his retirement during another championship run in 2008. He also coached a state championship track team in 2000. He demanded passion and expected excellence, but he always competed and handled winning with modesty and class. He was more proud of the young men and women he helped mold than the trophies he won.

One thing he did better than coaching was being a loving husband and doting father. He will be sorely missed as a man of steadfast faith, boundless joy and an endless source of (clean!) Cajun jokes. His complaints were few and the model life he led inspired those who played for him and those who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his faithful and caring wife of 36 years, Marilyn Brown Dardenne; his sons, Richard James Dardenne, Jr., Cory Leigh Dardenne, and Cory's wife, Katie; the stepchildren he loved as his own, Thomas Faulkenberry and Sarah Chappell, and her husband, Jay; his grandchildren, Braden, Finley, Tate and Will Faulkenberry, and Abbey Jo and Zoë Moyar; his brother and sister-in-law, Jay and Cathy Dardenne, as well as the hundreds of former players across the country and the globe who are his legacy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tonet and Johnny Dardenne; his grandparents, Nathan and Ula Coronna Abramson, and Teakle Wallis (T.W.) and Esther Cohn Dardenne.

Pallbearers will be his nephews, John and Matt Dardenne; his brother-in-law, Jim Brown; Randy Young; Bob McGill; and Kevin Goll. Visitation will be from noon to 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, June 30, at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, followed immediately by a celebration of his life held at the funeral home. A private family burial will follow at the Jewish Cemetery in Lafayette, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the American Kidney Fund, or a charity of your choice.

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7

Published by The Kingwood Observer from Jun. 27 to Jul. 10, 2018.
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Memories and Condolences
for Richard Dardenne

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My prayers are with your family and that you find comfort in your memories and your faith.

Carolyn

June 30, 2018

Richard was such a good friend and influence on me while at LSU ... a true gentle man and great competitor ... a real loss. My prayers go out to his family.

Carl Schofield

June 30, 2018

Has it really been 40 years since our Sigma Chi days @ LSU? My sympathies to the entire Dardenne family. Godspeed, brother. In hoc.

Jim Milam, MD

June 30, 2018

I am sorry for the loss of Richard. May our loving God provide your family strength through prayer and each other.

Franklin

June 29, 2018

Richard was a great fraternity brother , awesome athlete @LSU. Truly a fine gentleman.
Sorry for your loss. You all will remain in my prayers.

Edward Breaux

June 29, 2018

I'll miss Richard as much as I have ever missed anyone. Words, no matter how well smithed, could never do this man justice; he was a class act from head to toe. The world is a better place because he was in it, and I feel honored to have had him in our family.

Jo Benoy

June 29, 2018

Deborah Boyd

June 29, 2018

Our deepest sympathy to the Dardenne Family.
David, Melinda, Joe Sullivant

June 28, 2018

Dardenne family
Jay and family, so sorry for the loss of your brother, my thoughts and prayers are with you at the time.
Deepest sympathy
Anne James, Baton Rouge, La.

Anne James

June 28, 2018

Jay, I am so very sorry about the loss of your brother I regret that John and I will miss the services as we are out of town. However we want you to know that we care and send our sympathy. God be with you in this difficult time

John and Betsy Hooper

June 28, 2018

We are praying for you, Dr. Dardenne, and your family. May God comfort you as only He can.

Danny & Janea Hassett

June 27, 2018

Russell Powers

June 27, 2018

Jay & All of the Dardenne Family, My son, Michael,joins me in extending our most heartfelt sympathy to all of you for your loss.Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you during this devastating time.

Marie Dimaio Noto

June 27, 2018

Love and heartfelt prayers to all of the Dardenne Family

Margie Dumestre Duncan

June 27, 2018

Praying the Peace of God which passes ALL understanding to uphold, overwhelm and sustain you until that day you are forever reunited.

Paul & Melanie Kadair

June 26, 2018

God saw that he was getting tired,
a cure was not to be,
so he put his arms around him
and whispered "Come with me."
With tearful eyes you saw him go,
and softly fade away,
and though you loved him dearly,
you could not make him stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest;
God broke your heart to prove to you,
He only takes the best. Anonymous

Sharon Chester Walters

June 26, 2018

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Memorial Events
for Richard Dardenne

Jun

28

Celebration of Life

2:00 p.m.

Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory - Downtown

825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Jun

30

Visitation

12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory - Downtown

825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

Funeral services provided by:

Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory - Downtown

825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802

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