Charles C. Barham

Charles C. Barham
Louisiana State Senator from Lincoln and Union parishes (District 35)
In office 1964–1972
Preceded by	B.R. Patton
Succeeded by	K.D. Kilpatrick
In office 1976–1988
Preceded by	K.D. Kilpatrick
Succeeded by	Randy Ewing
Personal details
Born	Charles Clem Barham April 20, 1934(1934-04-20) Ruston, Lincoln Parish Louisiana
Died	May 3, 2010(2010-05-03) (aged 76) Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Jo Ann Frasier Barham
Children	Karla Ann Barham Charles C. Barham Lori Barham Sharp
Alma mater	Ruston High School Louisiana Tech University Louisiana State University Law Center
Occupation	Attorney
Religion	United Methodist

Charles Clem "Charlie" Barham (April 20, 1934 – May 3, 2010)^[1] was an attorney in private practice for thirty-nine years in Ruston, Louisiana, and a Democratic member of the Louisiana State Senate from District 35, nonconsecutively, from 1964 to 1972 and 1976 to 1988.^[2]

He was the older son of Lieutenant Governor C.E. "Cap" Barham, who held the second highest statewide office from 1952 to 1956 and was like his son an attorney in Ruston, the seat of Lincoln Parish. Barham's mother was the former Carice Helen Hilburn (1907–1965). He had a brother, Robert Ewing Barham (1940–1996), an English professor at Louisiana Tech University, from which Charles Barham received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958.^[1]

Barham was a maternal first cousin of Wiley W. Hilburn, the retired head of the Louisiana Tech journalism department, former editorial writer for the Shreveport Times, and an inductee of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield. Hilburn said that Barham's approach to politics enabled him to broker agreements in the Senate: "Unlike most today, he was a conciliator, a consensus type of politician. I think he achieved a lot with that mantra."^[3] Other cousins are former Republican State Senators Edwards Barham and Robert J. Barham of Morehouse Parish, who represented an adjoining district. Cousin Robert Barham is secretary of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Department.^[4]

In 1968, Barham was reelected, and his district absorbed much of the territory of his colleague Danny Roy Moore of Homer, the seat of Claiborne Parish.^[2]

In 1971, Barham did not contest a third term in the state Senate and was succeeded by the funeral home operator K.D. Kilpatrick, also of Ruston and formerly of Farmerville, the seat of Union Parish. Kilpatrick did not seek reelection, and Barham staged a political comeback in the 1975 general election, having defeated outgoing State Representative Louise B. Johnson of Bernice in Union Parish. Johnson, a businesswoman and a Louisiana Tech graduate, had based much of her campaign on opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment. Barham polled 16,878 votes (52.4 percent) to Johnson's 15,385 ballots (47.6 percent), He drew heavily among African-American voters as well as organized labor. Kilpatrick preceded Barham in death by less than two months.

From 1998 to 2001, Barham was the executive director of the interest group, the Casino Association of Louisiana, based in Baton Rouge.^[5]

Barham graduated from Ruston High School in 1952 and played the position of running back ton the 1951 state championship football team under Coach Hoss Garrett. In 2009, Barham was recognized by the Ruston High School Alumni Association as a "distinguished alumnus." After his Louisiana Tech student years, he procured his Juris Doctor degree in 1959 from the Louisiana State University Law Center in Baton Rouge.^[1]

Barham died of cancer^[3] at the Grace Home hospice in Shreveport. He is survived by his wife, the former Jo Ann Frasier, and their three children, Kayla Ann Barham (born ca. 1959), Charles C. Barham (born 1961) and wife, Debi Shields Barham, and Lori Barham Sharp and husband, Gary, all of Shreveport, where Barham resided during his retirement. Barham had five grandchildren, Ryan Barham (born December 4, 1995), Taylor Barham, Charlie Barham, Matt Sharp, and Abbie Sharp.^[1]

Services were held on May 6 at Trinity United Methodist Church in Ruston. Interment was at Greenwood Cemetery in Ruston.^[1] On the day before the funeral, Barham's former colleague, Senator Joe McPherson of Rapides Parish, hailed him as a "statesman" and introduced a resolution of honor.^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "CharlesC . Barham obituary". Monroe News Star, May 5, 2010. http://www.thenewsstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/dclassifieds?Dato=20100505&Kategori=OBITUARY&Class=30&Type=CAT30200&Lopenr=100500128&Selected=1. Retrieved May 5, 2010. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Membership of the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2004". legis.state.la.us. http://www.legis.state.la.us/members/s1880-2004.pdf. Retrieved March 21, 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Stephen Largen, "Former Senator Barham dies at 76"". Monroe New Star, May 5, 2010. http://www.thenewsstar.com/article/20100505/NEWS01/5050312. Retrieved May 5, 2010. ^{[dead link]}
4. ^ ""Senate to consider honor for Barham", May 5, 2010". Baton Rouge Morning Advocate, May 8, 2010. http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/92836909.html. 
5. ^ "1999-424". domino.ethics.state.la.us. http://domino.ethics.state.la.us/campopn.nsf/999d109733135c25862567f8006847bf/cc271738fdc5b000862567da00691e06?OpenDocument. Retrieved March 21, 2010. 
6. ^ "Membership of the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2004". www.legis.state.la.us. http://www.legis.state.la.us/members/s1880-2004.pdf. Retrieved March 19, 2010. 

Preceded by B.R. Patton

Louisiana State Senator for the 35th District Charles Clem "Charlie" Barham 1964–1972

Succeeded by K.D. Kilpatrick

Preceded by K.D. Kilpatrick

Louisiana State Senator for the 35th District Charles Clem "Charlie" Barham 1976–1988

Succeeded by Randy Ewing

Persondata
Name	Barham, Charles C.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	April 20, 1934
Place of birth	Ruston, Lincoln Parish Louisiana
Date of death	May 3, 2010
Place of death	Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana