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Line 56: − + − Bertrand's name was synonymous with civic leadership in Lafayette: he was a member of the Lafayette Airport Commission, the City of Lafayette Planning and Zoning Commission, the Beavers Club, and the American Legion. He was president of the Lafayette Board of Realtors and the state Board of Realtors, a board member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, co-chairman of The Bishop's Services Appeal, president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation, executive board member of the Evangeline Area Council of the [[Boy Scouts]], campaign chairman and president of [[United Way]] of Acadiana, and a member of the board of directors of the Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition.<ref name=obit/>+ +
J. Rayburn Bertrand (view source)
Revision as of 15:08, December 10, 2019
, 15:08, December 10, 2019no edit summary
|death_place=Lafayette, Louisiana
|death_place=Lafayette, Louisiana
|resting_place=St. John Cemetery in Lafayette
|resting_place=St. John Cemetery in Lafayette
|spouse= (1) Martha Julie Burgin Bertrand (deceased)<br>
|spouse=(1) Martha Julie Burgin Bertrand (deceased)<br>
(2) Faith Mensman Bertrand (married for approximately twenty years until his death)
(2) Faith Mensman Bertrand (married for approximately twenty years until his death)
|children=Daughter Cheryl Louise Bertrand (first marriage) and stepdaughter Dana Faith Whelchel Holladay, both of Lafayette
|children=Daughter Cheryl Louise Bertrand (first marriage) and stepdaughter Dana Faith Whelchel Holladay, both of Lafayette
Bertrand became a fighter pilot early in the war. He flew from [[England]] with the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group. He was part of its first mission, which was also the first combat mission of the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane. During two years with the group, Bertrand flew eighty-eight combat missions over enemy territory. He earned two [[Distinguished Flying Cross]]es and seven Air Medals. His group was honored with the Presidential Unit Citation. Bertrand flew every position from wing man to group leader of ninety ships. His missions included bomber escort, strafing, fighter sweeps, and drive bombing. He was promoted to the rank of [[major]] while he was on combat duty. He retired as a [[lieutenant colonel]].<ref name=obit/>
Bertrand became a fighter pilot early in the war. He flew from [[England]] with the 84th Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group. He was part of its first mission, which was also the first combat mission of the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane. During two years with the group, Bertrand flew eighty-eight combat missions over enemy territory. He earned two [[Distinguished Flying Cross]]es and seven Air Medals. His group was honored with the Presidential Unit Citation. Bertrand flew every position from wing man to group leader of ninety ships. His missions included bomber escort, strafing, fighter sweeps, and drive bombing. He was promoted to the rank of [[major]] while he was on combat duty. He retired as a [[lieutenant colonel]].<ref name=obit/>
==Political career==
==Political career==
Prior to his election as mayor, Bertrand worked in the [[real estate]] and [[insurance]] fields.
Prior to his election as mayor, Bertrand worked in the [[real estate]] and [[insurance]] fields.
On leaving office as mayor, Bertrand joined the Guaranty Bank and Trust Company (now a part of [[Bank One Corporation]]), and served as senior vice president and member of the board of directors. After his retirement from the bank, he continued to manage real estate properties and use his expertise in government to advise and assist boards and commissions working on municipal planning.<ref name=obit/>
On leaving office as mayor, Bertrand joined the Guaranty Bank and Trust Company (now a part of [[Bank One Corporation]]), and served as senior vice president and member of the board of directors. After his retirement from the bank, he continued to manage real estate properties and use his expertise in government to advise and assist boards and commissions working on municipal planning.<ref name=obit/>
==Civic leadership==
==Civic leadership==
Bertrand's name was synonymous with civic leadership in Lafayette: he was a member of the Lafayette Airport Commission, the City of Lafayette Planning and Zoning Commission, the Beavers Club, and the American Legion. He was president of the Lafayette Board of Realtors and the state Board of Realtors, a board member of the Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, co-chairman of The Bishop's Services Appeal, president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Foundation, executive board member of the Evangeline Area Council of the [[Boy Scouts]], campaign chairman and president of [[United Way]] of Acadiana, and a member of the board of directors of the Louisiana Gulf Coast Oil Exposition.<ref name=obit/>
He was active in [[Mardi Gras]] activities, having served as King of the Krewe of Attakapas and as King Gabriel XLII. His community service won him the city's most coveted honor, the Lafayette Civic Cup Award. He also received the "Distinguished Citizens Award" from the Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and an honorary member of the UL Blue Key Club.
He was active in [[Mardi Gras]] activities, having served as King of the Krewe of Attakapas and as King Gabriel XLII. His community service won him the city's most coveted honor, the Lafayette Civic Cup Award. He also received the "Distinguished Citizens Award" from the Boy Scouts. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi honor society and an honorary member of the UL Blue Key Club.