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Francis Grevemberg Obituary

Col. Francis C. Grevemberg died at age 94 on Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. He was born June 4, 1914, to Onita Coulon Jumonville deVilliers Grevemberg and Frank Bartholomew Grevemberg in Biloxi, Miss. He will be remembered as a loving and caring husband and father. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Dorothy McGuire Grevemberg; identical twin sons, Francis J. "Pete" Grevemberg and wife Melissa Coleman and Carroll S. Grevemberg and wife Alice Henderson; two grandchildren, David C. Grevemberg and wife Nanami King, of Bonn, Germany, and Elisa Grevemberg, of Rheams, France; and two great-grandchildren, Aidan and Audrey Grevemberg, both of Bonn. Col. Grevemberg became the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police on May 13, 1952. Six days later, he ordered all illegal gambling shut down in the state. It had been operating for more than 100 years due to the bribing of public officials and police. Grevemberg defied bribe offers, political pressure and death threats to conduct more than 1.000 lightning raids that shut down most of the illegal gambling. Most of the gamblers sought unemployment compensation, then moved to Nevada. He even destroyed 8,229 slot machines. In his last interview when state officials were considering legalizing gambling, he stated, "I think that if they want gambling it must be legal. However, legal or illegal gambling corrupts public officials, especially police. It's a breeding ground for other kinds of vice. I think it would hurt our state immeasurably. The state has gone down the drain for the umpteenth time in my lifetime. I just think it's pathetic!" During Grevemberg's short two-year and 10-month tenure, he and his troopers clamped down and almost eliminated narcotics being sold on the streets, smashed an eight-state white slavery ring and turned a rag-tag sloppy highway patrol into the premier state police in the United States. Sen. Estes Kefauver, chairman of the Senate Special Committee to Investigate Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce, said the following about Col. Grevemberg, "From being one of the most discouraging states, Louisiana has become one of the most encouraging. And much of the remarkable improvement is attributed to this one man." Grevemberg was a much decorated World War II veteran. During his 28 months of combat in the European Theater of Operations, he made five amphibious landings and participated in nine combat campaigns. He went overseas as a captain commanding an anti-aircraft artillery battery in the 1st Infantry Division. He received a combat promotion from Gen. George S. Patton to the rank of major in Tunisia, North Africa, and five months later, at 29 years old, during the Anzio beachhead campaign, he received another combat promotion to the rank of lieutenant colonel from Gen. Omar N. Bradley. In 1951, Grevemberg was promoted to colonel and became the group commander of the 204th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Group of the Louisiana Army National Guard. He returned to active duty during the Berlin Wall crisis in 1960. His previous command was changed to the 204th Transportation (Truck) Battalion of the Louisiana Army National Guard temporally stationed at Fort Eustis, Va. During his time in the military, he received many commendations and citations. Among those were the Soldier's Medal for heroism, the Legion of Merit with combat star for outstanding performance during the invasion at Anzio, Italy, the Croix de Guerre with silver gilt star awarded by the French government for exceptional war services rendered (in cooperation with French troops) in the course of the operation for liberation of France, the Army Commendation Medal, the Military Valor Cross given in the Italian campaign in distinguishing himself by valor and a splendid spirit of self-sacrifice, the European-African Middle Eastern Medal with nine bronze campaign stars, and a silver arrowhead signifying participation in five amphibious landings against the enemy. After his State Police tenure and running unsuccessfully for governor in 1955 and 1960, he opened his own real estate company and was elected president of the Baton Rouge Board of Realtors in 1960 and 1961. In 1961, he received the Realtor of The Year Award in Baton Rouge. After returning from military active duty in August 1962, he started a new insurance company, selling private mortgage insurance. United Guaranty Residential Insurance Co. became one of the major mortgage guarantee insurance companies in the United States. He received the Patrick Henry Award for outstanding patriotism from the national headquarters of the Military Order of The World Wars, and both the Gold and Silver Good Citizenship Medals from the Sons of The American Revolution. He was a member of American Legion Post 23 and the New Orleans Chapter of the Military Order of The World Wars. The family requests donations to the Louisiana Troopers' Charities, 8120 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. Funeral services will be private. Francis will be inurned at a later date in the family tomb in St. Martinville.

Published by The Advocate on Nov. 27, 2008.
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Memories and Condolences
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We were so saddened to hear of Col. Grevemberg's passing. My father, Col. Malcolm Millet, retired Superintendent of La. State Police, spoke of Col. Grevemberg in a recent newspaper interview by the Crowley Post Signal. After he heard of his passing, my father asked the paper to write an article about all of the good Col. Grevemberg did for Louisiana. It was a wonderful article. I hope you don't mind my asking, but myself, along with my brothers & sisters are looking for the movie "Damn Citizen" along with a movie poster we can mat and frame for my father's 81st Christmas. If you know where we might purchase these items, can you please let me know. Col. Grevemberg has left a great legacy and a great impression on my father. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Cathy Millet-Dolan

December 14, 2008

My very sincere condolences. My father, Lonnie Walters, served under the Colonel in Anzio and Tunisia in WWII. They kept in touch, though infrequently, at various military reunions through the years. My mother, Charline, has passed down some of his artwork to me, and I am passing along her condolences as she does not have any current contact information for the family. We will keep you all in our prayers, and will be forever grateful for his service to our country and our State.

Fay (Walters) Gardner

December 2, 2008

I'm so sorry to hear of Mr. Grevemberg's death. He was such a remarkable man. My parents, Doris & John Daren, were friends of his from the savings & loan conventions in the late 60's, and I have some of his artwork hanging in my house.

Anne Sarphie

December 1, 2008

David, sorry for the loss to you and your family.

Chad Cooper

November 30, 2008

My step-mother, Emily Cyr Bridges proudly displayed a "Grevemberg for Governor" button on her desk at Albania Plantation which was founded by the Grevemberg family. She often spoke warmly of the Colonel. He made a significant difference in the history of Louisiana.

Janis Bridges

November 30, 2008

Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead.

Kevin Grevemberg

November 30, 2008

Carroll and Pete, I am sorry to hear about your father's passing and I send my deepest condolences.

Darlene

Darlene Olivo

November 29, 2008

TWINS and FAMILY-Our thoughts and prayers. May beautiful memories of your fathers love and devotion help mend broken hearts.

The Abbouds
Ronnie & Bobby

Ronnie & Bobby Abboud

November 29, 2008

Dear Pete & Carroll, our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours at this sad time. A remarkable man, a life to be celebrated. Our deepest sympathy.

Jack & Nanine d,Aquin

November 29, 2008

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

cynthia weir

November 29, 2008

Deepest sympathy in loss.
Cappy, Darlene,Beau and Eva Bisso

Cappy Bisso

November 29, 2008

Dearest Pete and Carroll, You have so much to be proud of. I know how much you loved and revered your father. I also know you are at peace knowing he is just on the other side. Bless your families.

Cathy and Chuck Thomason

November 29, 2008

I served with Colonel Grevemberg in the old 204th AAA Group in LA NG while I became the First Sgt of one of the Hqs units. He was one of the inspirations of my successful career in the New Orleans Police Department where I retired as a Captain after 35 years. He was truly one of my heroes. God rest his soul.
John H Hughes Jr
former 1st Sgt, 134AAA Det

John Hughes JR

November 29, 2008

mrs. Grevemberg,
mr. grevemberg was the great exsample of the men that came out of Louisiana .
you do not know me but mr. grevembreg was my commanding officer in the 204th trans. group in the early 1950,s. I will pray for you & your family, I know that he is with god at his table now.

Ted Sampey

November 29, 2008

Mrs. Grevemberg, Pete, & Carroll,

I never knew about Francis's remarkable life until the end of our professional relationship. I do know that the years I worked w/both Francis & Dorothy they were both the epitomy of true class, and elegance. The prints of his artwork are still among my favorites, both for content and sentiment.


My condolences to your family. Our loss, though temporary is heaven's gain. There is no doubt that Francis is one of heaven's most shining angels. Take care, and God Bless.

Anita Richard (Ochsner Clinic)

Anita Richard

November 29, 2008

Pete,

Sorry to hear about your dad.

Jim Ann and Cal Caliva

Cal Caliva

November 29, 2008

I, too, remember my parents telling us, their daughters, about our cousin Francis Grevemberg and all he had done to fight crime in Louisiana. He was a true hero and patriot in many ways. We are related through my mother, Katherine Schlegel Ricau, who was the daughter of Viola Jumonville Schlegel. My condolences to your family.

Barbara MacArthur

November 28, 2008

I remember as a high schooler hearing from my parents what a hero Francis was. He was related to my mother, Katherine Schlegel Ricau, whose mother was Viola Jumonville Coulon de Villiers. My sympathy to all the family on the loss of such a great man.

Eugenie Rocherolle

November 27, 2008

Dorothy & family members, I am a distant cousin of Francis's. My mother (Marie Vivian Schlegel Carpenter) was close to you both. I am trying to get your address from cousin Woo Woo to send you a sympathy card. I've always admired Francis and am giving his biographies to my brother and cousins for Christmas presents. I always admired him and when I was involved in the Criminal Justice system (working for the coroner and doing crime prevention talks and writing booklets) he was my hero. My deepest sympathy, cousin Karen Carpenter Niklaus

Karen Niklaus

November 27, 2008

Pamela Ratcliff Ballinger

November 27, 2008

I never met Col. Grevemberg, but he has always been my hero. My father, Davis McKinney, supported Gov. Kennon. We were elated when Col. Grevemberg was appointed to head the state police. I think I was about eight years old at the time. In all of my 64 years I've never known anyone else in Louisiana that was as honest and strong as he. He was truly a great man.

Sarah Kent

November 27, 2008

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