Louisiana State Council Charity,     Unity, Fraternity, and Patriotism

Jerry L. Ryan of St. Anthony Council, No. 2395, Bunkie, La., was elected State Deputy at the 1944 state meeting in Lafayette, to succeed Mr. Zernott. Lancaster Collens was chosen as State Secretary; Alfred G. Robichaux as State  reasurer, Felix Samson as State Advocate, and Louis Gimbert, Jr., State Warden. 

Passed away December 2006

The two insurance delegates to the Supreme Convention were John Spreafico and E. A. Veillon, and the associate delegate, J. A. Bolner.

With characteristic verve and initiative, State Deputy Ryan plunged into the work of directing the order in the midst of the swelling tide of activities and just as the European phase of World War II came to a close with the brilliant victory of the Allies. This rising revival of Columbianism is reflected in the two conventions of his administration - Baton Rouge, La., May 20, 1945, and Alexandria, La., 1946. Five new Councils were represented at the Baton Rouge convention, and two new additional Councils at the Alexandria gathering. The like of this had not been witnessed seven new Councils in two and one half years since the 1908 - 1909 period, some 37 years previously. 

For the second time in the annals of the State Council, a state meeting had to be restricted and for the second time a convention city had to be changed, when the 1945 state gathering had to be curtailed and streamlined to a one day session, and the convention city changed from Natchitoches (as originally voted) to Baton Rouge. This one day convention was held at Baton Rouge on May 20, 1945. All of this was due to the war and government restrictions on travel, meetings, banquets, and other activities. The usual banquet and entertainment were discarded at the 1945 gathering of the State Council.

A meeting of the state officers and District Deputies was held at the Monteleone Hotel in New Orleans on September 17, 1944, and the new State Chaplain, Rev. Irving A. DeBlanc of Ville Platte, La., offered Mass for the group at Immaculate Conception Church. At this gathering, an inspiring address was delivered by Guy J. Knobloch on responsibilities of individuals and organizations. State chairmen who were present made their reports. Mr. Guste, Sr., was host to the gathering.

The Baton Rouge state meeting opened with a private meeting of the state officers on Saturday, May 19, 1945, in the Heidelberg Hotel. District Deputies presented reviews of activities of the previous year. Principal speaker was Father DeBlanc.

On Sunday morning (May 20), all officers and delegates assembled at St. Joseph's Church for a Memorial Mass. This was done that morning, because there would be no sessions on the next day (Monday). Without ceremonies or usual routines, the 40th annual meeting got under way at 9 a.m. in one of the meeting rooms of the Heidelberg, with State Deputy Jerry Ryan in the chair. Mr. Guste proposed that since this would be only a one day gathering, the afternoon session be regarded as the usual second day business meeting, and it was so done, with procedure streamlined to meet this condensed schedule. 

The State Deputy announced the withdrawal of Father Schexnayder as State Chaplain after 11 years of devoted spiritual leadership given to the order in Louisiana, and the appointment of Father DeBlanc as his successor. He recommended also publication of the State Roster, and advocated increasing of the per capita assessment and engaging a State Director of Activities, also inauguration of the theological contest, continued active support in the war effort and the sponsoring of a retreat by every Council each year. 

At this convention a report was made on the poster to promote retreats, which was adopted by the state Knights. The poster was designed by Dom Gregory DeWit, O.S.B., Belgian Benedictine artist, and it was displayed throughout the Councils of the state and elsewhere. It was at Baton Rouge also that it was voted that the State Chaplain be made ex-officio member of the good of the order committee.

Salute to a Gentle Giant

BUNKIE, La - Funeral services for Jerome (Jerry) Lukeman Ryan were held on Friday, December 30, 2005 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Bunkie, La., with the Rev. Patrick Baguet, Msgr. Steve Testa and the Rev. Scott Chemino officiating. Internment was in the Pythian Cemetery under the direction of Melancon Funeral Home, Bunkie.

Jerry Ryan, 100, of Bunkie died Thursday, December 22, 2005 at Bunkie General Hospital.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, William A. Ryan and Theresa Lukeman Ryan; his siblings, Ursula Ryan, Edward Ryan, William Ryan, Aldie Ryan and Arm Magner; and by his son, Dr. Jerome Ryan, of New Orleans, La.

Mr. Ryan was born January 16, 1905, in Franklin, Illinois. He graduated from Franklin High

School in 1925. After receiving football and baseball scholarships to Sprinhill College, Mobile, Alabama, he graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Commerce in 1929.

Mr. Ryan was employed by Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. in New Orleans. In 1931 he was promoted to territory manager in Texarkana, Texas. He opened and managed the first Firestone store in Alexandria, La. in 1936. Mr. Ryan accepted a position with Chevrolet Motor Division in 1940 as the Regional Truck Manager for Louisiana and Mississippi.

In 1946 he opened Ryan Equipment Company in Bunkie, La. He was a distributor of Pontiac automobiles, Allis-Chalmers tractors and General Electric appliances. Mr. Ryan entered the insurance business in 1958. He became the New Orleans District Manager for Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company.

In 1951 Jerry was elected President of the Bunkie Quarterback Club.

Mr. Ryan was very active in religious and civic affairs in Louisiana. He led the Louisiana Knights of Columbus as State Deputy from 1945 to 1947 and as

Master of the Fourth Degree from 1956 to 1958. In 1962 he was made a Knight of Saint Gregory by Pope John XXIII. Later he was elected Knight Commander of the Fleur de Lis, an organization for Catholic leaders.

During the tenure of Jerry Ryan as State Deputy, the Louisiana State Council began the popular CYLA (Catholic Youth Leadership Award) and the Executive Secretary position was reinstituted during the two year term of Ryan.

He served as President of the Bunkie Chapter of Rotary International and as a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow.

Jerry Ryan is survived by his wife of 72 years, Marion Hunter Ryan; one son, Patrick William Ryan and his wife, Janie, of Alexandria, La. and one daughter, Virginia Anne Ryan Allen and her husband, Bob, of Corpus Christi, Texas; his daughter-in-law, Rosemary Ryan, of New Orleans, La.; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Ryan devoted his life to his family, to his religion and to his roles of professional leadership. Jerry was known by all for his thunderous, hearty laugh and his zest for life.

Jerome "Jerry" Ryan

January 16, 1905 to December 22, 2005

19th State Deputy

©1999, 2008 Knights of Columbus, All Right Reserved

E-mail all Knights of Columbus related questions to the State Office Administrator  Robert Boudreaux

E-mail all web site questions or suggestions to the Louisiana Knights of Columbus Webmaster Lee Roy Cates 

State Office telephone numbers (337) 235-2220 ; address: P. O. Box 51166, 2006 West Pinhook Rd., Lafayette, LA 70505