J. Rayburn Bertrand
| J. Rayburn "Ray" Bertrand | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Lafayette, Louisiana, USA | |
|
In office 1960–1972 |
|
| Preceded by | Jerome E. Domengeaux |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth Francis "Kenny" Bowen |
| President of the Louisiana Municipal Association | |
|
In office 1965–1966 |
|
| Preceded by | Frank T. Norman |
| Succeeded by | John W. Perritt |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 1, 1918 Kinder in Allen Parish, Louisiana, USA |
| Died | March 6, 2005 (aged 86) Lafayette, Louisiana |
| Spouse(s) |
(1) Martha Julie Burgin Bertrand (deceased) |
| Children | Daughter Cheryl Louise Bertrand (first marriage) and stepdaughter Dana Faith Whelchel Holladay, both of Lafayette |
| Alma mater | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
| Profession | Businessman |
|
(1) Bertrand's admirers want to rename the Lafayette Regional Airport in his honor. (2) Bertrand won two Distinguished Flying Crosses and seven Air Medals during his World War II service. (3) During Bertrand's twelve years as mayor of Lafayette, the city nearly doubled in population. |
|
(1) Martha Julie Burgin Bertrand (deceased)
(1) Bertrand's admirers want to rename the Lafayette Regional Airport in his honor.
(2) Bertrand won two Distinguished Flying Crosses and seven Air Medals during his World War II service.
J. Rayburn "Ray" Bertrand (October 1, 1918 – March 6, 2005) was a businessman, civic leader, and decorated World War II veteran who served as the Democratic mayor of Lafayette, Louisiana, from 1960 to 1972. During Bertrand's three terms, the city nearly doubled in population, having grown from 40,000 to 75,000, and the corporate limits were extended more than sixty times. Lafayette expanded from 8.5 mi² (22 km²) to 24 mi² (62 km²) during his tenure.
Bertrand was born in Kinder in Allen Parish to the former Ethel Marie Acosta and Joseph Claude Bertrand. The family moved to Lafayette in 1932, when Joseph Bertrand sold his electrical operation to a major utility company. Bertrand graduated from Lafayette High School in 1936 and attended Louisiana State University and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (then Southwestern Louisiana Institute), from which he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and business.
Shortly after graduation, he applied for aviation cadet training with the United States Army Air Forces and was accepted in December 1941, after having worked for a time as an accountant with a New Orleans firm.
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