Frank Guidroz Jr.

Stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Your every act should be done with love." 1 Corinthians 16:13-15. Frank Guidroz Jr., most beloved son, husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2011. Frank was first-born son of Frank Guidroz Sr. and Lillian Brechtel Guidroz, born to them on April 2, 1930, in Rougon. It is in Rougon where he enjoyed his youth, his adventures with his two brothers and three sisters and where his interest in education began. He graduated in 1946 as salutatorian of Rougon High School. He then went on to graduate from LSU with a bachelor's degree in industrial education in 1950 and master's in industrial arts education in 1956. In his salutatory address to his high school class, wise beyond his age of 16, he encouraged his classmates and friends to "have courage," in his words, "the golden quality," which he would soon proudly display as he served his country as a first lieutenant in the Korean War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in battle. All who knew Frank know of his sincere love of God and country. A true patriot, the American flag, as he told his daughters, was the most beautiful sight he beheld, while in service and until the end of his days. Upon his return from the war, he married his "sweetheart," Mary Jane Cifreo, on Dec. 12, 1953. Soon after their marriage, they welcomed their first of four children, all girls, Sonia Faye followed by Brenda Ruth, Linda Ann and Mona Ann. He also began his lifelong much enjoyed professional career in education, first working as guidance counselor and teacher at Central High School and eventually serving as principal of Central Middle School from 1973 to 1981. He found much joy in working with young people, mentoring and serving as positive role model to many of his students, teachers and faculty. He went on to serve as board member and principal of Starkey Academy after his public-school service, retiring in 1990. Frank was a man who accomplished much in his days here with us. He was a featherweight boxing champion in the ROTC, a member of the Future Farmers of America, a member of the academic fraternity Epsilon Pi Tau, East Baton Rouge Parish Teacher of the Year in 1965, a lifetime member of Central High School's Industrial Arts Club and the Louisiana Vocation Association Merit Award Winner of 1965. He was an avid sportsman with a true passion for all nature and the bayous of south Louisiana, where he loved to hunt and fish, possessed talent beyond measure in his carpentry skills, taught drafting at Southeastern Louisiana University. He also co-founded K&F Builders with Ken Montgomery and together they built homes for many people, a number of whom became close friends. Frank shared a lifelong friendship with Ken and many others that was timeless, based on mutual respect and brotherly love to all who knew him as a great man and friend. Frank's most remarkable accomplishment is his eternal legacy of love for his family. He protected, supported, adored and loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He lived by example and was a proud man with great dignity, instilling in all a responsibility of truth, honor and hard work. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Jane Guidroz, who cared endlessly for him during their 57 years of marriage. He is also survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Sonia Faye and Brooks Hearn, Brenda Ruth and Jeff Bates, Linda Ann and David Miller and Mona Ann and Peter Rafeedie. His surviving grandchildren are Kayla Kinchen Kulhanek, Kale Guidroz Kinchen, Amie Kristen Faul, Mandy Lauren Faul, Cara Belello D'Agostino, Erika Leigh Belello, Dwayne Belello Jr., Theodore Jacob Miller, Jena Frank Laird, Jules Logan Laird, Alexis Rafeedie and Patrick Rafeedie. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Isabella and Dominic D'Agostino. His surviving siblings are Lillian Sullivan, George Guidroz, John Guidroz and Vera White. He also was a beloved uncle to many adoring nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandson, James Carroll Laird III, like his grandfather, a courageous young man who also shared his love of hunting and fishing. Also preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Lillian Guidroz; and a sister, Ruth Major. Pallbearers for the service are Kale Guidroz Kinchen, Dwayne Belello Jr., Jules Logan Laird, Samuel D'Agostino, Casey Kulhanek, Patrick Rafeedie and Edmund Major Jr. Honorary pallbearers are James Carroll Laird III, and Ken Montgomery. Visiting on Thursday, Feb. 17, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Blvd., from 11:30 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 1 p.m., with the Rev. Matt Lorrain, celebrant. Entombment in the Veterans Wall of Honor at Resthaven Garden of Memory Mausoleum. Resthaven Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Please visit the online guestbook at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.