Charles Wheeler Darnall jr

Charles Wheeler Darnall Jr. was born at DeRidder, Louisiana on August 22, 1923, the only child of the marriage between Charles Wheeler Darnall and Nina Sigur.

He spent his early years attending parochial schools in various cities in the Southeastern United States while his father was employed with the Interstate Commerce Commission.  In 1933, at the age of 10, he and his mother moved to Franklin, Louisiana, her family home, upon the death of his father.  He attended Hanson Memorial High School and graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1940.

Mr. Darnall attended Tulane University in New Orleans from 1940 to 1942, then Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now U.L.) in Lafayette, Louisiana until called to active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve July 1, 1943.

He then attended Midshipmen’s School at Columbia University in New York, and received ensign’s commission in U.S. Naval Reserve in April, 1944.  He served in the Pacific Ocean area aboard the attack transport U.S.S. Olmsted, APA-188, from its commission in September 1944, until June 21, 1946.  He was on the Olmsted for the beginning of the Battle of Okinawa in April 1945, and participated in Operation Magic Carpet to bring troops home after the war’s end.  On June 21, 1946, he was released from active duty with the rank of Lieutenant (j.g.).

Mr. Darnall returned to S.L.I. in Lafayette and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business Administration in 1947.  He was employed in accounting and insurance claims fields in Lafayette, Houston, New Orleans and Little Rock, Arkansas, until entry into Louisiana State University Law School in Baton Rouge in 1952.  He was on the staff of the Louisiana Law Review from 1953 to 1955.  Mr. Darnall graduated and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1955, and entered the practice of law with the firm of Bauer & Bauer in his home town of Franklin, Louisiana.

In 1958, Mr. Darnall married Louise Carmelite Braquet, a native of Loureauville, Louisiana, who held the position of St. Mary Parish Home Demonstration Agent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Three children were born of the marriage, Charles Wheeler Darnall III, Christine Alice Darnall and Ann Louise Darnall.

While practicing law in Franklin, Mr. Darnall was a member and past Grand Knight of Franklin Council No. 1420 of the Knights of Columbus; was a member and past President of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce; was a congregation member and commentator of the Church of the Assumption; was past president of the Hanson-St. John School Board; was active in the Boy Scouts of America; was past District Chairman of the Teche District; served as a member of the board of directors of Patterson State Bank from 1964 to 1988; was a member and past Vice-President of the St. Mary Parish Library Board of Control; and was a member of Franklin Post No. 63 of the American Legion.

In December 1992, Mr. Darnall retired from the successor firm of Darnall, Biggs, Trowbridge, Supple & Cremaldi, after 36 years of practice.  He remained in Franklin, Louisiana until his death on March 31, 1995.  He was survived by his wife and three children.