Douglas McLaren

Mr. Douglas McLaren, aged 85, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017 at his home in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Visitation will be held at the Blanchard Saint Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches on Saturday, April 22, 2017 from 1:00 until 3:30 p.m. A graveside service, officiated by his cousin, Olan D. McLaren, will follow at Weaver Cemetery in Flora, Louisiana at 4:00 p.m. Mr. McLaren, born August 16, 1932, in Flora, Louisiana, graduated from Provencal High School in 1950. He served 4 years in the United States Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in the 506th Strategic Fighter Wing, Dow AFB in Banger, Maine during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged in 1954. He graduated from Northwestern State University with a BA degree in Education, and from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling, Administration, Supervision, Psychology, and Sociology. Additionally, Mr. McLaren achieved advanced work beyond a Master’s degree exceeding 30 hours at SFA. Mr. McLaren taught math, English, and Louisiana history at Logansport High School, where he also coached junior high football, varsity football, girls’ basketball, and track. While there he served as a guidance counselor and assistant principal. He was appointed Supervisor of Special Services for DeSoto Parish schools in 1965. He was elected Superintendent of DeSoto Parish and served for 13 years where he developed and initiated the Four-Phase Program for quality education which received national recognition by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. All teachers in DeSoto Parish and 48 professors from NSU were involved in this program. He also initiated reading and math laboratories, and provided kindergarten programs for all schools in the parish. He served in various capacities for the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents. Mr. McLaren was named Who’s Who in Louisiana by the United States Public Relations Service and was inducted into the 2015 Hall of Distinguished Educators at Northwestern State University. Very active in his community, Mr. McLaren was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Phi, a past Master of the Masonic Lodge, president of the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club, and the Chamber of Commerce where he also served as a member of the board of directors. He served on the DeSoto Hospital Association, was a member of the Walter Ledet Coffee Club, and attended Trinity Episcopal Church in Natchitoches. Mr. McLaren was preceded in death by his parents, Severene and Frank McLaren; five brothers, Spence, Rufus, Vernon, Ernest, and Robert McLaren; and one sister, Patsy McLaren Brittain. Mr. McLaren is survived by his wife, Patricia Todd McLaren; his two daughters Rosemary McLaren McQueen and her husband Steve of Gonzales, La.; Jeannette McLaren Meredith and her husband Shawn of Kilgore, Texas; and his grandchildren, John Elvy McCullough and his wife Christie, Cali Rose McCormac and her husband Robbie, Matthew Steven McQueen and his wife Amy. He is survived by two sisters, Margie McLaren Sparks and husband Gerald of Provencal, Louisiana and Ola Vowell of Humble, Texas; two stepsons, Pat Todd Jr., Tim Todd and wife Sonja of Fairhope, Alabama, and two stepdaughters, Jennifer Todd; and Jessica and husband Scott Saffell of Baton Rouge. Mr. McLaren is also survived by eleven step-grandchildren: Jonathan, Patricia, and Shelby Todd; Anna Marie McClung; Caroline Todd Denton, Rebecca Todd; Marshall Watson, Jr., Jane Ann Watson Moreland; Bryan, Sarah Beth, and Anna Claire Saffell; and one great granddaughter, Evelyn Moreland. Pallbearers are John McCullough, Matt McQueen, Mike McLaren, Robert McLaren, Chris McLaren, Ernest McLaren, Pat Todd, Jr., and Tim Todd. Honorary pallbearers are Doug Spears, Dennis Coleman, Don English, L.E. Sklar, Jr., and the Walter P. Ledet Coffee Club. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Douglas McLaren Scholarship Fund at NSU for a student of education.