Guy Havard

Mr. Havard, lately a resident of Luling, was born in Baton Rouge and grew up in Melville, where his mother and the members of the First Baptist Church planted the seeds of his lifelong Christian faith.

At 16, he joined the Otter Lake Hunting Club just south of town, and he later served as its president for several years. Mr. Havard was also an avid fisherman throughout his life; his favorite hymn was “How Great Thou Art,” and this choice reflected his deep appreciation for the natural world and all God’s creatures.

Mr. Havard attended McNeese State University on a track scholarship. During his time there, he set a record, which still stands to this day, and his team won the 1958 Gulf States Conference Track & Field Championship. For many years, he enjoyed reminiscing with old friends at track team reunions.

While in college, Mr. Havard continued to court his high school sweetheart, Lucy Stockman, and they married 68 years ago, in a ceremony officiated by his father-in-law, the late Rev. Alvin Stockman, Sr.

In 1960, Mr. Havard was ordained a deacon in his home church. He often filled the pulpit for out-of-town ministers and once he served as interim pastor for Bayou des Glaises Baptist Church. Years later, due to his active preaching schedule, he was licensed to the gospel ministry by Rev. Calvin Cantrell.

Mr. Havard taught ninth-grade general science, mathematics, physical education, and drivers’ education for 20 years in Krotz Springs and Melville, in addition to coaching baseball, football, basketball, and track at Melville. For the remainder of his life, many of his former students affectionately called him “Coach Guy.”

After he retired from teaching, Mr. Havard had another career in security at the Roy O. Martin OSB Plant & Sawmill in Le Moyen. Throughout this “second act,” he continued working with young athletes. For 33 years, he umpired baseball for St. Landry Parish Schools and for the American Legion’s youth league.

After he and his wife retired from the sawmill, where Mrs. Havard worked in human resources, they moved to Central and joined Greenwell Springs Baptist Church. Mr. Havard continued serving as a deacon there; he loved volunteering at Vacation Bible School, and he took an active role in building the church’s new sanctuary.

In 2021, Mr. and Mrs. Havard moved to Luling, to be closer to their great-grandchildren, and after this move, they joined West St. Charles Baptist Church, where Mr. Havard was an honorary deacon. In his final years, he continued to follow LSU sports closely, as he had always done. His boisterous cheering and hollering could be heard way out in the yard, and his family always knew purple-and-gold gifts would be a hit.

Mr. Havard was preceded in death by his parents, Guy Monroe Havard and Annie George Havard; by his half-sister, Clara Louise Havard Walker; by his paternal grandparents, James M. Havard and Irene Griffin Havard; by his maternal grandparents, William C. George, Sr., and Mae Spurlock George; and by his step-grandmother, Bessie Stagg George.

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Havard; his daughter, Kim Havard; grandchildren, Sarah and Strother Sacra, all of Luling, and Janae and Tessa Howe of State College, Pennsylvania. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Lily Sacra and Eli Sacra, also of Luling.

A celebration of Mr. Havard’s life will be held at West St. Charles Baptist Church, 13099 U.S. Highway 90 in Boutte, on Saturday, July 11, with visitation at 9:00 and services at 11:00. Reverend Ryan Ogborn will preside, assisted by Rev. Thomas Hines of Hope Church in Destrehan. Arrangements are being handled by Alexander Funeral Home.

In accordance with his wishes, Mr. Havard’s family will scatter his ashes near one of his favorite fishing spots.

Memorial donations may be made in Mr. Havard’s name to Samaritan’s Purse at P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or online at samaritanspurse.org.