Deaths Elsewhere

Enola Gay's ground crew chief
DERIDDER – Services for the historic Enola Gay’s ground crew chief John Courtney will be Aug. 5. He died July 29 at age 96.
After playing football at LSU, he joined the Army Air Corps just days before Pearl Harbor. While stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii he was assigned to be the Enola Gay’s ground crew chief with orders to keep her in pristine condition at all times. The plane delivered an atom bomb to Japan in August 1945. After war, Courtney and his wife operated a dry cleaning business in Mansfield.
Survivors include several children.
Arrangements are by Labby.

School Supt. of Transportation
ALEXANDRIA – Services were Aug. 2 for retired Rapides Parish School Board Supt. of Transportation Earl Cooper. He died July 24 at age 78.
He was an educator in Lake Charles and Breaux Bridge before joining the Rapides system. He was assistant principal at Alexandria Senior HIgh for 16 yeas before becoming parish transportation superintendent.
Survivors include his wife Mattie and two children.

Lifestyles editor
SHREVEPORT – Services for retired newspaper editor Marian Burgess will be Aug. 7. She died July 29 at age 89.
She was a reporter, then Lifestyle section editor of The Record in Bergen County, N.J., working for the newspaper more than 40 years.
Survivors include three daughters.

Real estate appraiser
LAFAYETTE – Services for real estate appraiser Luther Parker will be Aug. 5. He died Aug. 2 at age 82.
He started his appraisal firm in 1959 and later served as treasurer and president of the Board of Realtors, and was a Realtor of the Year award winner. He was a charter member of the Lafayette Sertoma Club.
Survivors include his wife Jeanette and three sons.
Arrangements are by Martin & Castille.