| − | Gaudin (pronounced GO DAN) was the younger of two children born in New Roads in Pointe Coupee Parish (pronounced COO PEE), a heavily [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] part of the state, to Alton Francis and the former Vida Swindler, who was reared in Ventress, also in Pointe Coupee Parish. Gaudin's older sister, June Gaudin Allor, died in 2010. As a youth, Gaudin delivered pressed shirts and clothing for his father's Riverside Cleaners in New Roads.<ref name=obit/>e | + | Gaudin (pronounced GO DAN) was the younger of two children born in New Roads in Pointe Coupee Parish (pronounced COO PEE), a heavily [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] part of the state, to Alton Francis and the former Vida Swindler, who was reared in Ventress, also in Pointe Coupee Parish. Gaudin's older sister, June Gaudin Allor, died in 2010. As a youth, Gaudin delivered pressed shirts and clothing for his father's Riverside Cleaners in New Roads.<ref name=obit/> |
| | Gaudin graduated in 1948 from the parochial St. Joseph's Academy in New Roads. He then received his bachelor's degree from [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge in 1952. Thereafter, he entered the [[United States Army]] as a second lieutenant on an [[ROTC]] commission. He left the service in 1954 as a first lieutenant but remained a major in the Army Reserve for another decade thereafter. Gaudin graduated from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU with a [[Juris Doctor]]ate in 1958.<ref name=obit/> | | Gaudin graduated in 1948 from the parochial St. Joseph's Academy in New Roads. He then received his bachelor's degree from [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge in 1952. Thereafter, he entered the [[United States Army]] as a second lieutenant on an [[ROTC]] commission. He left the service in 1954 as a first lieutenant but remained a major in the Army Reserve for another decade thereafter. Gaudin graduated from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at LSU with a [[Juris Doctor]]ate in 1958.<ref name=obit/> |