Search by Name

Search by Name

Allen Bares Obituary

Funeral service will be held at a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Lafayette, for Allen Ray Bares. A devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, Allen Ray Bares passed away peacefully on Thursday, Aug. 14, surrounded by his family. He died of complications of myelofibrosis. He was 71. Visitation at Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. by the St. Elizabeth Seton Rosary Group. Visitation resumes at the funeral home on Monday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum. Allen will be remembered for his abundant love of his family and his dedication to public service. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth "Betty" Jeanne Baquet Bares; his eight children, Camille Massie, Jude Bares, M.D., Jeannine Martin, John Bares, Michelle Tober, Jacques Bares, Allen Bares II and Elizabeth Mackie; two daughters-in-law, Anne Walker Bares M.D., and Tanya Cambre Bares. He had 17 grandchildren who adored their "Paw Paw." He is also survived by a sister, Agnes Richard; and two brothers, Eno Bares and Emery Bares. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Oneida Bares, his brother Emmett Bares and his sister-in-law Grace L. Bares. Pallbearers will be Allen's sons-in-law, Jim Massie, David Martin, Eric Tober and Patrick Mackie, and his nephews, Barry Bares, Wymon Bares, Stephen Bares and Luther Richard. Allen was born on Sept. 24, 1936, and was raised in the LeBlanc community in Vermilion Parish. He graduated from Erath High School, LSU and LSU School of Law in 1960. He was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity at LSU and helped establish the Sigma Nu chapter at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. After graduating from college, he joined the Louisiana National Guard and was later commissioned as a second lieutenant. He began his legal career in Abbeville, and in 1961 he moved to Lafayette as an associate general counsel with All American Insurance Co. He was an organizer of Val-u Investment Corp. and served as its vice president and general counsel for many years. He was a practicing attorney in Lafayette for almost 50 years, most recently with Oliver and Way. He also represented many interests as lobbyist before the Louisiana Legislature. In 1972, Allen was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, and in 1980 he was elected to the state Senate, representing District 23 for 12 years. He was elected by his colleagues as president of the state Senate in 1988 under the administration of Gov. Buddy Roemer. He was a passionate leader in the pro-life movement and authored historic legislation to protect the precious lives of the unborn in Louisiana. He was active in education reform, having served as national vice president of the Education Commission of the States from 1985-1986. He championed tort reform and was a lead author of the 1987 Workman's Compensation Reform Act. As a French-speaking legislator, Allen was a staunch supporter of CODOFIL and was honored to serve as president of the Louisiana Chapter of the Association of French Speaking Legislators. For his work with the preservation of French in Louisiana, the country of France presented him with the prestigious Medal of Merit in 1991. Allen selflessly gave his time and energy to many community organizations, including the Boy Scouts, Kiwanis Club, Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, Serra Vocation Club and St. Pius X Catholic Church. He was the first elected president of Our Lady of Fatima Church. Allen was an enthusiastic supporter of the Boy Scouts, having served as president of the Evangeline Area Boy Scouts Council, and was honored to have received the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts in 2000. He was an avid horseman and enjoyed golfing, hunting and fishing with his children and grandchildren. He was a faithful servant of the Lord, and an inspiration to all those who knew and loved him. His presence in our lives will be greatly missed, and we are honored to have shared in his life. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Evangeline Area Boy Scouts Council, 2266 S. College Road, Lafayette, LA 70508, the Carmelite Monastery, 1250 Carmel Drive, Lafayette, LA 70501 or to St. Pius X School, 205 E. Bayou Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70508. Personal condolences may be sent to the Bares family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Published by The Advocate from Aug. 16 to Aug. 17, 2008.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Allen Bares

Not sure what to say?





Emery,

I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Nancy Hebert

August 18, 2008

Dear Betty: It was an honor to have served with Allen in the Louisiana House and Senate. He served Louisiana with dignity and intelligence and was a true dedicated public servant. We will keep you and Allen in our prayers and we know that God will forever hold him in the palm of his hand.

Kathy and Tom Casey

August 17, 2008

We share the loss of this great and warm man. We pray that the Holy Spirit will comfort us all, and most especially his family.

Gary and Ann-Margret Tober

August 17, 2008

Jude, Camille and the Bares family,

I'm so saddened to learn the news of your Dad. He was a true and genuine man of honor. Although it's been many years since our days at LSU - I would keep up with you through your Dad when he spoke to our NAIFA business group.

Praying for all of you during this tough time - may you all remember with fondness the blessings of your time with him and know that he shares in the Eternal Life of our faith.

Darrell Ourso (EBR Councilman)

August 17, 2008

I was only a child when my father died not long before the fire at All American Assurance Company. Allen Ray Bares was one of the people who helped my mother and my family. I met him only once, but I never forgot him. What a treasure he was to all who knew him.

Judy Trahan-Wostal

August 17, 2008

I am saddened to learn of Allen's passing. He was a gentle man with uncompromising principles who always walked right paths. The world was a better place for him. My sympathy and prayers to his family and other friends. May he rest in peace.

Michael Marcantel

August 16, 2008

An old friend, a great leader, attorney and Senator as well as in his service to our country in the military. My sympathy to all of Allen's family.

Fred C. Dent, Jr.

August 16, 2008

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results

Make a Donation
in Allen Bares's name

Memorial Events
for Allen Bares

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support Allen's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Allen Bares's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more