Charles deGravelles dies
‘True Republican’ called founder of modern party in La.
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LAFAEYTTE — Charles C. deGravelles, hailed as the founder of the modern Republican Party in Louisiana died at his home Thursday morning. He was 95.
“He was probably the first Republican in Lafayette when there was no such thing,” City-Parish Council Chairman Don Bertrand said.
A native of Morgan City, deGravelles graduated from the LSU Law School in 1936 and played in the Tiger band before moving to Lafayette in 1941. He and his wife of 73 years, Virginia, were among the first to register as Republicans in Lafayette.
“He was considered by most to be one of the key founders of the Republican Party in Lafayette Parish,” said Denice Skinner, Lafayette Parish Republican Executive Committee — District 6. “He and his wife worked very diligently, for many, many years, to grow the party and establish the core values of the party. I considered him to be a ‘true Republican.’ He will be missed.”
He served on the National Republican Committee and was chairman of the state Republican Committee from 1968-72. He and his wife were the only married couple to serve on the national GOP committee at the same time.
DeGravelles was described as being “particularly close” to President Reagan.
He and his wife were jointly honored by the Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge with the George Washington Medal of Honor in 1984.
DeGravelles was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in 2007.
An attorney, he also worked for Amoco Production Co. for 40 years before forming his own independent oil leasing and abstract company in Lafayette. He also taught oil and gas law from 1955-62 at what was then known as SLI and USL (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette).
He was preceded in death by one daughter and is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons — including John deGravelles and the Rev. Charles deGravelles, both of Baton Rouge.
Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 6, and a memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette.
“He was probably the first Republican in Lafayette when there was no such thing,” City-Parish Council Chairman Don Bertrand said.
A native of Morgan City, deGravelles graduated from the LSU Law School in 1936 and played in the Tiger band before moving to Lafayette in 1941. He and his wife of 73 years, Virginia, were among the first to register as Republicans in Lafayette.
“He was considered by most to be one of the key founders of the Republican Party in Lafayette Parish,” said Denice Skinner, Lafayette Parish Republican Executive Committee — District 6. “He and his wife worked very diligently, for many, many years, to grow the party and establish the core values of the party. I considered him to be a ‘true Republican.’ He will be missed.”
He served on the National Republican Committee and was chairman of the state Republican Committee from 1968-72. He and his wife were the only married couple to serve on the national GOP committee at the same time.
DeGravelles was described as being “particularly close” to President Reagan.
He and his wife were jointly honored by the Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge with the George Washington Medal of Honor in 1984.
DeGravelles was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in 2007.
An attorney, he also worked for Amoco Production Co. for 40 years before forming his own independent oil leasing and abstract company in Lafayette. He also taught oil and gas law from 1955-62 at what was then known as SLI and USL (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette).
He was preceded in death by one daughter and is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons — including John deGravelles and the Rev. Charles deGravelles, both of Baton Rouge.
Visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 6, and a memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette.
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