Caddo Parish School Board Larry Ramsey passed away at his home Saturday night following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Ramsey has served on the local school board since January of 2003. Ramsey pushed tirelessly for improvements to Southwood High School, Ramsey pushed for the Board to invest in the bio-technology program which has spurred tremendous academic growth at the campus.

Additionally, Ramsey played a pivotal role in the hiring of three district superintendents and called for the committee structure implemented by the Caddo Parish School Board today.

“Mr. Ramsey was a pillar of excellence on the Board and in many ways was a father figure to me,” said Dr. T. Lamar Goree, Caddo Superintendent. “He expected nothing less than exceptional and had a vision for a Caddo school system that was both innovative and a state and national model. He saw a Caddo designed to meet the needs of tomorrow’s students and called on the Board to create a framework to get us there.”

“He worked feverishly and tirelessly toward bettering educational opportunities in his district as well throughout Caddo,” said Southwood High School Principal Jeff Roberts. “He was truly Caddo. He wanted to see Caddo Parish schools perform at a certain level, and never quit working – day, night, weekends. Along the way, he might step on a few toes, but that didn’t matter because the greater goal for him was to do what was right for Caddo.”

As the current longest serving member of the Caddo Parish School Board, Ramsey earned a reputation for his deep understanding of Board procedures and policies coupled with his ability to work with community organizations and local governmental bodies to create a future concept of not only Caddo Schools but Caddo Parish.

 “Larry was my mentor on the Board when I came on and he quickly became a friend,” said Board President Steve Riall. “He was the most knowledgeable when it came to the business of the district and Board policies but he also had the ability to listen to his community members to make sure we were doing what was in the best interest of students. This is a tremendous loss for our district and the community and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Janice and his family.”

Arrangements are pending at this time.

President Riall will call a special meeting to declare the District 10 seat vacant and begin the process of appointing a representative. The selected person will serve until an election will be held in the November.

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