Carl Baloney Sr., affectionately known as “Butch,” departed this life on Monday, June 12, 2017, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He was surrounded by family.

A native of Garyville, Carl Baloney Sr. was born on Mardi Gras day, Feb. 18, 1947. He was the son of the late Earl Baloney Sr. of Garyville and the late Ophelia Borne Baloney of Edgard.

Carl was the loving and doting husband of Geraldine “Geri” Broussard Baloney. He was the proud father of seven children, Colette Baloney Choate (Clifford), Yvette Baloney Perrilloux (Kenneth), Malik Baloney, Markus Baloney, Abril Baloney Sutherland (Tyrone), Quendi Baloney Darville (Lawrence) and Carl Baloney Jr. (Kirk). He is also survived by 23 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Carl was educated in St. John the Baptist Parish Public School system. He graduated from the Straight School of Business in New Orleans. Following in his father’s footsteps, he graduated from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science at the young age of 18 and began working with his father at the Earl Baloney & Sons Mortuary and Ambulance Service, during which time he was a licensed EMT. Carl graduated from Dillard University, studied pre-med at Columbia University in New York and obtained a Masters in Social Work from Southern University in New Orleans.

He has been the general manager of the Baloney Funeral Home since 2000. At the age of 24, Carl was the youngest elected official in the State when he was elected to serve on St. John Parish School Board. He was the founder of the system’s first black history month program, which continues today.

From there, Carl held several positions including, serving as St. John Parish’s Deputy Assessor, St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Administrative Officer and Deputy Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals under Gov. Edwin Edwards.

More recently, Carl was on the faculty at Delgado Community College, where he taught anatomy and physiology and was director of clinical embalming. He went on to serve as the founding administrator of Southern University at Shreveport’s first Funeral Service Program.

Through these academic positions, Carl trained hundreds of funeral directors and embalmers throughout the state and lectured internationally, including in South Africa where he had the pleasure of meeting Nelson Mandela upon his release from prison.

In his earlier political life, Carl was one of the founders of River Area Improvement League, an organization that was successful in uniting a seven-parish area of black voters who supported candidates who stood for equality and opportunity for African Americans. This organization was the first of its kind in this state and was successful in getting many first elected and appointed positions for African American in the 60s.

He was a member of The Townsmen, which was formed in 1954, and the STUDS Club, founded in 1946, whose exclusive membership includes prominent educators and businessman from the New Orleans Metropolitan area; their primary mission and agenda is providing financial scholarships for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

He was also an honorary member of the Cape African Funeral Directors Association of South Africa.

In 1997, Carl and his wife purchased Emilie Plantation, an affiliate of the very plantation that his family once lived and worked as slaves. Most recently, Carl and his wife purchased the former Good Housekeeping Store, a 32,000 square foot facility and transformed it into a business center housing the Baloney Funeral Home, La Belle Place Reception and Conference Center and the Broussard Baloney Law Firm.

His home church is True Light Baptist Church of Garyville. His Borne family church is New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Edgard. He is a member of the Greater New Plymouth Rock Baptist Church in Reserve. Carl was a trailblazer, a father and grandfather, an educator, a businessman and community servant. He will be dearly missed.

Relatives and friends of the family, also pastors, officers and members of The True Light Baptist Church, Garyville and New Jerusalem Baptist Church, Edgard; and New Plymouth Rock Baptist Church, Reserve, members of the Studs Club, Inc., Townsman, Inc., Links and Connecting Links, Alumnae Associations of Dillard University and Southern University at New Orleans are invited to attend a public viewing on Thursday, June 15 from 2 to 6 p.m.

The celebration of life for Carl will be held on Friday, June 16 at The Baloney Funeral Home, 1905 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace. Viewing commences at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 11 am.

Pastor David Carter, Greater New Plymouth Rock Baptist Church in Reserve, is officiating. Burial will follow at Providence Park Cemetery, 1800 Airline Highway in Metairie.

Professional services are entrusted to The Baloney Funeral Home in LaPlace, assisted by Rhodes Funeral Home and the Louisiana State Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.

Condolences may be shared at BaloneyFuneralHome.com.