Colonel Donald A. Ladner

KINDER/FENTON - Colonel Donald A. Ladner, United States Army (Retired), 84, passed away in Lake Charles on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019, surrounded by his loving family.

His funeral service will be held today, Friday, Aug. 16, 2019, at 10 a.m. in Kinder Bible Church of Kinder, with Rev. Don Barrett officiating.

Visitation was held Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Reed Funeral Home in Kinder, and will continue today, Friday, from 8 a.m. until time of service at Kinder Bible Church.

Burial will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Vir.

Colonel Ladner served in the United States Army for over 30 years, including three combat tours in the Vietnam. He was a 1957 graduate of McNeese State University, where he was a varsity letterman in football, baseball and track and field. He attended graduate school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and obtained a master’s degree from Shippensburg State University in Pennsylvania.

During Colonel Ladner’s time in the Army, he commanded units from the Platoon level to Brigade size and served as a staff officer at every level from Battalion Staff to the Department of the Army Staff at the Pentagon. He also served as the executive assistant to Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf at Pacific Command. His military education included graduating from the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the United Kingdom Joint Services Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

Upon retirement from the Army, Colonel Ladner and his wife moved back to Louisiana where he became very active in the Kinder and Welsh communities. He was elected to Jeff Davis Parish School Board and was an active member of McNeese State University Alumni Association. Colonel Ladner served as chairman of the Board of Directors of Kinder-McRill Cemetery Association and led the founding of the Avenue of Flags and the cemetery’s annual Memorial Day ceremony. Colonel Ladner was also instrumental in having the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall displayed in Allen Parish in 2000. He was an active member of Kinder Bible Church.

Left to honor his memory is his wife of 63 years, Leavon Rostrum Ladner of Fenton/Welsh/Kinder; one son, Don Christian Ladner and wife Melanie L. Ladner of Baton Rouge; two grandchildren, Madison L. Catalanotto and Lundyn G. Ladner, both of Baton Rouge; one brother, Nimocks F. Ladner of Jennings; and sister, Shirley Lenoir of Poplarville, Miss.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.reedfuneralhomeofkinder.com.