Dr. Bernard Shadoin passed away peacefully at his farm in Benson, Louisiana July 29, 2020 surrounded by his loving wife and family. He was born February 12, 1930 in Benson, to AJ and Johnnie Norwood Shadoin. He is survived by his wife of 65 years Patsy Raines Shadoin, daughters Jeanie (Frank) Watson, Patti (David) Young both of Shreveport, and Alan (Amy) Shadoin of Huntsville, AL. He is also survived by grandchildren Brandon (Desiree) Colvin of Leonardtown, MD, Rebecca (Jonah) Allen of Rockwall, TX, Catie (Chris) Pace of Ft. Worth, TX, Jason Young of Fayetteville, AR, Michael (Elizabeth) Young of El Dorado, AR. Great Grandchildren James and Myra Colvin, Addie and Jameson Allen, and Calvin and Virginia Louise Young.
Dr. Shadoin graduated from Pelican High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Northwestern State, his master’s degree from Stephan F. Austin, and his Doctor of Education from the University of Arkansas. He began his career in Education at Longstreet Elementary School in 1949, and after serving in the US Army during the Korean War he returned to Mansfield Elementary to teach 5th grade and coach many rising stars on the pee-wee football team. Upon completion of his EdD, he accepted a faculty position at Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM), rising to the position of Dean of the College of Education, a position from which he retired in 1985. During his career, he served on many education advisory boards throughout the state and Southern US.
After retiring from NLU and Patsy retiring as a principal in the Ouachita Parish School System, they began their lifelong dream of touring North America. During this chapter, they traveled the country from Maine to Baja, from the Keys to Vancouver, and so many places in between. On many of these trips, they were accompanied by grandchildren, teaching them a love for traveling, spending time with family, and nature. They served as Campground Hosts at Big Bend National Park in Texas and Custer State Park in South Dakota, planning and conducting educational programs on the history of the area and the US Park Service. Once wanderlust was somewhat satisfied, they returned to DeSoto Parish and established Shadoin’s Briarhurst Farms, raising American Paint Horses, cattle, timber, and the occasional flock of guineas. Their favorite moments were visits with their grandchildren and their most cherished great-grandchildren.
During this time Dr. Shadoin also served on the DeSoto Parish Police Jury and as Principal of Mansfield High School. These tasks were undertaken as his way of giving back to the people of DeSoto Parish.
Bernard had a quick wit and was a true southern storyteller. He entertained at family gatherings with his humorous tales of growing up in Benson as one of 10 children. Most stories had a dog or several as the central character. He developed a love for University of Arkansas sports while also cheering for NLU and not necessarily against LSU.
Dr. Shadoin’s true legacy lies with the hundreds of future educators trained under his watch and the thousands of young people they have instructed over the last 50+ years. Some may have never heard his name, but their lives were forever touched by him none the less. He was a quiet man who spoke through his deeds, actions, and fierce loyalty to family and friends.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 8 at 10 am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Mansfield, LA with a Memorial Service beginning at noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Dr. Shadoin’s memory to a charity of your choice.