By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Felix Dumas Jr., a bus driver for the St. John the Baptist Parish school system, is more than just a chauffer shuttling students to and from classes — he is an inspirational leader who encourages his students to expect the best while offering the best.

“I always say respect is earned,” Dumas, 65, said. “You are only as good as the people you serve. If you respect them, they will respect you. And if they don’t, they will answer to that later in life.”

Whether it is high school seniors or first year kindergarteners, Dumas conveys the same courtesy no matter the age. His message comes across better, however, to those of the younger generation.

“High school kids think they know it all sometimes,” Dumas said. “They don’t want to hear a lecture from the bus driver. Eventually, it comes back to get them and they learn my lessons the hard way, but you can’t hold it against them.”

Dumas says his job as bus driver is to energize the students and get them prepared for the school day ahead. His tool is the bus’ radio, which plays nothing but contemporary gospel music.

“I’m in a constant state of praise as I roll down the road,” Dumas said. “I wave my arms in the air and get the kids to join in. After a while, my whole bus is waving to the music.”

Dumas is a 10-year veteran of the St. John Parish school system but said he has driven buses in 48 different states.

“It has been my life since I left Avondale in 1979,” Dumas said. “I’ve driven motor coaches, school buses and shuttles. Everywhere I went, I have always had to scratch my way up from the bottom to the top.”

Dumas explained that his job with the school system blossomed out of a chance meeting in the parking lot of a LaPlace store. He said he was ready to start a charter driving job in New Orleans when he ran into an old teacher.

“It was my old industrial art teacher from Magnolia High School in Vacherie Leroy Mitchell,” Dumas said. “He approached my with an opportunity to drive buses for the school system. I saw it as an opportunity to get closer to home and do what I enjoy. I jumped at the chance.”

Dumas grew up in South Vacherie in an area “where the alligator ruled the bayou.” His mother, Helen B. Dumas, worked for Oak Alley Plantation for 42 years. His father died in 1958 when Dumas was only 14. Seven years later, Dumas moved on to a different phase in his life.

“I had been a drummer growing up and carried it through high school,” Dumas said. “When I was old enough to go it alone I moved out and hooked up with several touring acts.”

Dumas drummed with several small groups but hit it big when he hooked up with Ike and Tina Turner during a tour stop in Louisiana. He would also find work drumming for Al Green.

“I was a kid playing in a man’s world,” Dumas said. “It was overwhelming for me.”

Around the bus yard, Dumas is known for his boisterous attitude and energetic nature. People often talk about his eccentric ways, but none of that ever bothers him.

“They don’t have my soul,” Dumas said. “They are free to judge and label me, but you can’t dwell on what others think. You’ve got to live how you think you are supposed to live and let God judge you in the end.”