Carl Burton Cloessner

Funeral services for Carl Burton Cloessner were held at Life Church of Winnsboro, LA on Saturday, June 8, 2024 with visitation beginning at 12:00 and the service following at 2:00 PM under the direction of Dennard Funeral Home.

Carl Burton Cloessner was born August 21, 1941 and passed away from this life on June 5, 2024. Carl was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in April of 2023.

Carl was born in Port Arthur, Texas, to Martin Eldridge Cloessner, Sr (Martin) and Zella Leo Collins Cloessner as the youngest of six boys. His parents both had large families and many stories have been told of times spent with their cousins and their families. Carl enjoyed talking about “old times” with family. There was always a story to tell, especially when family was near. Most of his family called him by both names, Carl Burton, and that continues to this day.

Before starting elementary school, his family moved to Jonesville, LA and he lived there through High School, graduating from Block High School in 1959. Following graduation, Carl moved to Monroe to attend Northeast Louisiana State College (NLSC). It was during this time he began to call Monroe home. As an active member of many organizations involving his alma mater, there is no doubt he was always an Indian at heart, but he still supported the Warhawks.

Carl served his country in the US Army, drafted on November 23, 1963, he attended Basic Training at Fort Polk and the remainder of his time at Fort Belvoir in Virginia where he met his first wife and mother of his children, Pamela Echols.

Following his Honorable Discharge from the Army, he returned to Monroe, where he was able to complete his degree in Construction. He was one of three people who graduated in the first class with this degree from NLSC. He was an avid supporter of the Construction Program and enjoyed his time as a part-time Instructor in the school. As a result of his dedication and commitment to the industry and program, earlier this year, he was recognized as the 2024 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year for the School of Construction.

During his career, Carl worked in most states around the south and worked on some of the largest projects in our area at the time. He also served on the National Board for the American Institute of Constructors and was area President for the Northeast Louisiana Associated General Contractors.

Carl was proud member of the Masonic Lodge. He was extremely proud of his role as Past Master of J.C. Stewart Lodge in West Monroe.

In 2006, Carl married Kaye Turnage Baber in West Monroe. They lived there for a few years then moved to Winnsboro to be close to Carl’s son, Jimmy, and his family.

Carl is survived by his loving wife, Kaye Turnage Cloessner; his daughter, Cheryl Cloessner Row and husband John of Addison, Texas; his son, Jimmy Cloessner and wife Kristi of Winnsboro; five grandchildren, Kemper Cloessner, Cabe Cloessner, Alexandra Row, Cason Cloessner, and Kellyn Cloessner; his brother, Martin Eldridge Cloessner, Jr (Eldridge) of Jonesville, along with his children Sharon Trisler, Paul Cloessner, Dan Cloessner, and Mike Cloessner whom he loved like his own.

Honoring Carl as Pall Bearers were Kemper, Cabe, and Cason Cloessner, John Row, Paul Cloessner and Michael Cloessner.

Memorials may be placed with Life Church of Winnsboro, P.O. Box 34, Winnsboro, LA 71295. In lieu of flowers, you may also consider contributing to the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Society to help find a cure.

Online condolences may be made at www. dennardfirstnational. com.