Baton Rouge, LA - Charles Leonard Patin, Jr., passed away on Thursday, April 2, with his beloved wife Carla by his side. Charles was born in Baton Rouge on April 7, 1949, the first child of Florence Jean Dyer Patin and Charles L. Patin, Sr.

Charles was a proud graduate of Southern University Laboratory School. He received his B.S. degree from LSU and, three years later, he attained his law degree from LSU Law School. He began his career with the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection, under Attorney General William Guste, working with a wonderful group of attorneys and staff, many of whom he kept in lifelong contact. Despite long hours of work, he always relished a legal challenge. He eventually reached the position of Chief of the Civil Division, working closely with the Louisiana Legislature and the administrations of Governors Edwin Edwards and Buddy Roemer. Charles later joined Kean Miller Attorneys at Law, eventually becoming a partner. He worked with school boards throughout the State of Louisiana, helping to settle long-standing desegregation cases, meeting new people and making new friends on both sides of the legal disputes. After his retirement from Kean Miller, he worked with Brian Blackwell, continuing to handle desegregation cases. It was an interesting and enjoyable time for him to slow down and begin to ease into retirement.

Charles was, most of all, a family man. He married his friend and love of his life, Carla Kennedy, in 1971. Two wonderful children followed, Nolan Charles and Jennifer Lynise. Charles and Carla loved to travel with the children, visiting festivals, museums, and natural wonders. In recent years, he and Carla enjoyed many trips to Washington, D.C., to spend time with their grandchildren. Charles was very passionate about cooking. He watched cooking shows and put his own spin on recipes. He was well known for his seafood dishes and gumbo. He loved cooking with his son Nolan and son-in-law Ahmed; it was a friendly rivalry. One person he didn't mind sharing his secrets with was his granddaughter, Layla; they worked seamlessly in the kitchen. His wonderful meals will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Charles was blessed with three beautiful grandchildren, Layla Ramadan, Amani Ramadan, and Alcide Patin. He loved children and young people, and enjoyed teaching them to cook, giving out recipes, riling them up, and, overall, being around them.

He was preceded in death by his father, Charles L. Patin, Sr., his father-in-law Audrey N. Kennedy, and his sister-in-law and her husband Donna and Louis Hightower. He is survived by his devoted wife, Carla, his son Nolan (Rahel), his daughter Jennifer (Ahmed) and his three grandchildren. He is also survived by his loving mother, Jean Dyer Patin, his mother-in-law Gloria Ricard Kennedy, sister Melody Patin Spears (Robert), brother Joseph Leak Patin (Lisa), sisters-in-law Lynise Williams (Winfred), Maria Jones (Michael), and brothers-in-law Eric Kennedy (Lora), Gerard Kennedy (Melba) and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Hall Davis Celebration Center, 9348 Scenic Hwy., Monday, April 13, 10:30-11:30, with services beginning at 11:30.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital.