Kenneth Sears Sr.

Kenneth William Sears, Sr. was born on January 26, 1947 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Irvin and Velma Sears. Kenneth departed this life on May 29, 2022 at his home with his loving wife of 56 years at his side.

Kenneth was a beloved husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, Linda Ann Campo Sears, his 3 children, Kenneth W. Sears, Jr. (wife Mary Beth), Dr. Danielle Vignes (husband Andrew) and Reine Castillo. He has six grandchildren that he absolutely adored, Kenneth W. Sears, III, Daniel J. Sears, Lillian A. Vignes, Jude L. Vignes, Julia B. Vignes and Jean -Luc A. Vignes.

He grew up in St. Bernard Grove after his parents were deceased. He entered the seminary at St. Joseph’s Abbey in St. Benedict, Louisiana when he was 15 years old. He graduated from St. Bernard High School in 1965, where he lettered in track and football and was voted “the wittiest” of his class. That wit and humor never left him all the days of his life.

He worked as a fisherman and carpenter and joined the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) in 1965. He eventually rose to Financial Secretary and served local 1846 for 10 years, later becoming a District Representative for the national office of the UBC.

He was strong in his Catholic faith and was a parishioner of Our Lady of Prompt Succor in Chalmette, Louisiana. He served his church and community as a Cub Scout leader, a Catholic Youth minister, a School Board member, an OLPS usher and chairman of the OLPS Tomato Festival. He was also a basketball coach and a member of the Canary Island Descendants Association.

He and his wife moved to Geismar, Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina where he enjoyed retirement and his new home as a Master Gardener. But his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family, his kids and grandkids. Poppy, as he was called by his family, was a die- hard fan of St. Paul’s School, Academy of Holy Angels, Holy Cross High School, University Laboratory School, Northwestern State University, and of course, the LSU Tigers and New Orleans Saints. Poppy always looked at life with his glass half full. His love for life and people was infectious, but he adored his family most.

He never missed a game, a performance, a recital, or any special moment for his children or grandkids. He lived by the saying “you only pass this way once.” Poppy was the best of the best and will be greatly missed by his family.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 3, 2022, at St. Bernard Catholic Church & Cemetery, 2805 Bayou Road, St. Bernard, Louisiana. Mass and Burial to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, St. Paul’s School in Covington, Louisiana or University Lab School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.