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SERVICES
Chester Braxton
Reed Funeral Home
Sunday, February 6
Services
2 p.m.
Visitation
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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At press time, no information had been published on the funeral home’s website regarding longtime city worker Chester Braxton, who died over the weekend.
Braxton had served the Kinder and its residents for approximately 42 years. He was presently serving as the town’s public works superintendent.
Mayor Wayland Lafargue reported Braxton’s death on Facebook™. He wrote, “To the citizens of Kinder and Allen Parish, our community lost a special friend, family man and great public servant to the Town of Kinder.” Lafargue went on to state Braxton had served the community for over 40 years. He said in his job Braxton “touched every single person in our town. He was a dedicated supervisor that worked 365 days a year, always on call for our citizens. He will be deeply missed by our community.”
Mayor Lafargue said it was his uncle, former Mayor Cledius LaFargue in 1980. He said during Braxton’s career with the Town of Kinder, he worked under four mayors, including Cledius LaFargue, Fred Ashey, Estes Ledoux and Mayor Wayland Lafargue.
Braxton was described by the mayor as dedicated and very passionate about his job. He said when he decided to seek re-election four years ago, he asked Braxton to please stay on with him. He said Braxton agreed and had just told the mayor that he planed to retire this year.
Lafargue said Braxton was a special person whom many people contacted before even calling him with a problem as mayor. He described it as a blessing because Braxton knew what to do. He said Braxton had been so long with the town that he knew what to do and often did his job before the mayor even spoke to him about it. He said when preparations were needed to prepare for weather events, he said Braxton had already taken care of the preparations. And after the weather passed, Braxton and his crew were on street within 24 hours clearing debris or fixing weather-related issues.
Lafargue said that is the type of man Braxton was – he just helped everyone. He added Braxton’s work-crew was dedicated to Braxton and respected him.
Braxton was recognized by the Kinder Chamber of Commerce in 2017 with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the Town of Kinder, which was one of his many accomplishments.
“He was probably one of the most well-known citizens in Kinder,” Lafargue said. “There was probably no one he hadn’t helped with utilities and other items associated with the town.”
Town Clerk Traci Fontenot worked with Braxton for 27 years. “Mr. Chester was truly one of a kind ,and he will be missed every day. He was never off work; he always answered and went out if needed, even when he was on vacation. But more than that, he was a great friend to all. The whole community has truly lost a great man,” she said.
Mayor Lafargue said funeral services will be observed at Reed Funeral Home on Sunday, February 6, at 2 p.m. Visitation will be observed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“My family and I, along with the city council, town crew, city hall staff, police chief, town attorney, town judge, police department and the citizens will miss a great individual and servant to our community,” Mayor Lafargue said. “As mayor of Kinder, I will miss his dedication and service to the Town of Kinder. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with his wife, Shirley Braxton; his daughter, Amanda; and his immediate family. He will be truly missed.