Kenneth John de la Loire deBlanc, long time Clerk of Court for the Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, died at the age of 76 at 5:45 AM on Saturday, October 2, 2010 in a local hospital.

Born September 5, 1934, in New Iberia, LA, to Francis deBlanc and Villaneuva de la Loire, he received his high school diploma from St. Peter's College in 1953, and his law degree from LSU in 1960.

Kenneth moved to Lake Charles in September of 1960, to assume his appointment as Deputy Clerk of Court of the Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, a position he held until his appointment as Clerk of Court on January 1, 1966. He retired on June 30, 2004, having served in that position for 38 years.

He was a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, the Southwest Bar Association and the Louisiana Clerk's Association, serving two terms on its Board of Directors. He served on the Executive Board of the Albert Tate, Jr. Inns of Court, and was a Louisiana Bar Foundation Fellow.

Until his death, Kenneth was an active member of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks. He served on its Executive Committee from 1996 to 1998, as Pictorial Chairperson from 1996 to 2004, and its treasurer from 1997 to 2001. He co-hosted the 2000 Savannah Conference and its 2006 Conference in New Orleans. In 2005, Kenneth was the recipient of the Conference's J.O. Sentell Award, an annual award which recognizes the recipient's extraordinary devotion to duty, unfailing support for our justice system and generosity in his service to others.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Francis X. deBlanc and Dr. Donald James deBlanc; and his sisters, Mrs. Tullie deBlanc Wimberly and Mrs. Lucille Inez deBlanc Eves; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, both biological and adopted.

A memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Rev. Brian King will officiate.

Memorials may be made in his memory to the Education Fund of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks, Irene M. Bizzoso, Deputy Prothonotary, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Middle District, P.O. Box 62575, Harrisburg, PA 17106-2575, or a charity of one's choice.