A funeral mass celebrating the life of Mr. Charles Kenneth “Ken” Conrad, 83, of Monroe, LA will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday July 9, 2018 at the Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Monroe, LA with Rev. Keith Garvin officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Mausoleum under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home in Monroe, LA.
Mr. Conrad passed away on July 6, 2018 at St. Francis Medical Center in Monroe, LA, with his beloved wife Janie by his side.
Ken was born October 11, 1934 in Breaux Bridge, LA, to Earl and Myrtle Conrad. He attended Breaux Bridge High School, where he played football. After high school, he received his associate’s degree in Baton Rouge and returned to Breaux Bridge to work with his father at the Breaux Bridge Telephone Company, where he later became the President. He was also later appointed President of Louisiana Independent Telephone Association.
Breaux Bridge Telephone Company was one of the first companies Clarke Williams Sr. bought when forming Century Telephone Enterprises. Ken joined Century Telephone Enterprises as a Board of Director’s charter member. As Vice President, he managed all the independent telephone companies in South Louisiana that had been purchased. He later became Senior Vice President of CenturyTel and successfully negotiated cellular service licenses for CenturyTel in early 1980s, when cellular service was still in its infancy.
After retiring, Ken purchased his first racehorse on a whim. That horse turned out to be a winner, which sparked a passion for horse racing that gave Ken, Jane, and their friends years of delight. His real passion, however, was golf. He was a member of Bayou DeSiard Country Club in Monroe, LA, where he and his golfing buddies enjoyed many rounds as the ‘TTS Club’ (Tuesday Thursday Saturday).
Ken was a dedicated family man. He was completely devoted to Jane, his wife of 45 years, and loved nothing more than spending time with her as well as his seven children, 18 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. As a child, he grew up in his family’s movie theater, thus sparking a life-long love of movies, which he continued to enjoy twice a week with his wife. The couple also enjoyed nights out having dinner with friends. Ken was a faithful Catholic and a member of Jesus the Good Shepherd Church.
Ken is survived by his beloved wife, Mrs. Sarah Jane Conrad; his children, Donnell Conrad, Lisa Spatafora and husband Dr. Robert Spatafora, Kip Clark and wife Mary, and Earl Conrad; his grandchildren, Edward Conrad, Andress Conrad and wife Robin, Alisha Mahfouz and husband Jason, Karla Allen and husband Tommy, Bryan Conrad, Adelaide “Addy” Cuneo and husband Chris, Sarah Spatafora, Leah Blackmon and husband Chad, Will Spatafora, Kyle Spatafora, Ryan Butler and wife Tiffannee, Jake Butler, Beau Butler, Alex Butler, Erin Cole and husband Jason, Emily Clark, Anna Conrad and Connor Conrad; his great-grandchildren, Julian Mahfouz, Mason Mahfouz, Levi Conrad, Clara Conrad, Evangeline Allen, Madison McKnight, Aidan Holloway, Zoe Blackmon, Paige Butler, Jenna Butler, and Bennett Cole; daughter-in-law, Amelia Conrad, sister, Joy Conrad, and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Earl Joseph “Teddy” Conrad and Myrtle Eugenie Soullier; sons, Charles Kenneth “Chubby” Conrad Jr. and William “Billy” Conrad; daughter, Gena Butler; brother, Joseph Edward Conrad; and sister, Myrtle Conrad.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Butler, Kip Clark, Dr. Robert Spatafora, Will Spatafora, Kyle Spatafora, and Aidan Holloway. Honorary pallbearer will be Bill Morrow.
Visitation will be from 5:30 until 7:30 PM Sunday with a Vigil Wake Service at 7:00 P.M. followed by a Rosary.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or your favorite charity.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road
Monroe, LA