Guy Sockrider

Guy William Sockrider, Jr.
Louisiana State Senator for Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes
In office 1948–1964
Preceded by	James O. Dolby Gilbert Franklin Hennigan
Succeeded by	A. C. Clemons Jesse Monroe Knowles
Personal details
Born	November 5, 1921 Jennings Jefferson Davis Parish Louisiana, USA
Died	February 25, 2011 (aged 89) Lake Charles Calcasieu Parish
Resting place	Prien Memorial Park in Lake Charles
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	(1) Ruth Grein Sockrider (married 1941-1964, her death) (2) Jaquline Lott Sockrider (married 1965-1993, her death)
Children	From first marriage: Debbie Del Sockrider Stepchildren from second marriage: Wilson Morris Patricia Morris Barrodale
Parents	Myrtle Bell Clark and Guy William Sockrider, Sr.
Residence	(1) Jennings, Louisiana (2) Lake Charles, Louisiana
Alma mater	Jennings High School
Occupation	Businessman
Religion	Presbyterian Church in the United States
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army
Rank	Captain of 89th Infantry Division

Not related to the Guy Sockrider, a chef in New Orleans

Guy William Sockrider, Jr. (November 5, 1921 – February 25, 2011), was a businessman from his native Jennings, Louisiana, who served from 1948 to 1964 as a Democrat in the Louisiana State Senate. He represented all or parts of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis parishes in the southwestern portion of his state.^[1]

Sockrider was born to the former Myrtle Bell Clark and Guy William Sockrider, Sr. He graduated in 1938 from Jennings High School. In 1941, he married the former Ruth Grein, who died in 1964; he was left to rear alone their only child, Debbie Del Sockrider (born January 1958), who was only six years old at the time of her mother's passing.^[2]

In 1942, Sockrider enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the 89th Infantry Division. He advanced from second lieutenant, to first lieutenant, and captain. He was honorably discharged into the United States Army Reserve.^[2]

Sockrider worked ceaselessly from the age of twelve until his death at the age of eighty-nine. In 1949, he established Industrial Construction Company. In 1989, he launched the non-unionized IMTC and served as its chief executive officer.^[2]

In the state Senate, Sockrider served under Governors Earl Kemp Long (two terms), Robert F. Kennon, and Jimmie Davis. He sat on the Senate Finance Committee and chaired the industrial relations committee. He worked to upgrade McNeese State University in Lake Charles from a junior college affiliated with Louisiana State University to its own four-year institution. He worked to build the W. O. Moss Regional Hospital, a charity hospital in Lake Charles. Sockrider pushed for the establishment of the stadium for the McNeese State Cowboys football team. For eight years, he chaired the Louisiana Legislative Council.^[2]

Sockrider died at a hospital in Lake Charles. In addition to his surviving daughter, Sockrider had two stepchildren from a subsequent 1965 marriage to the former Jaquline Lott Morris, who died in 1993.^[2]He is interred at Prien Memorial Park in Lake Charles.

References

1. "Membership of the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2011" (PDF). legis.state.la.us. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
2. Willie Mount (2011). "Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 36". legiscan.com. Retrieved November 1, 2014.