Funeral services will held Friday at Grace Church in DeRidder for Louisiana Senator James David Cain.

© Riley Smith and Sons Funeral Home

DERIDDER, LA–MARCH 16, 2024–Senator James David Cain, a staunch supporter of the Louisiana horse industry, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the age of 85.

James David was born in Pitkin, Louisiana, on October 13, 1938, and grew up on the family farm. From an early age, he was a hard worker and never shied away from any tasks given to him.

His love for cattle and horses began during this time and continued into adulthood. He loved riding his horse, Trigger, with his brother Jr. and his sister-in-law, Anita, and enjoyed slipping out of his saddle and crossing the creek holding on to his horse's tail!

He faithfully attended Pitkin Baptist Church with his family and became a Christian at an early age, being baptized in the Six Mile Creek not far from his parents' home.

Eager to serve his country, James David joined the U.S. Army in 1958. Throughout his tenure in the army, he served as a Military Policeman. He was an excellent marksman and won many sharpshooting medals while serving. He was honorably discharged in 1961, ending his career at Fort Polk, a military installation not far from his childhood home.

James David graduated from Pitkin High School in 1956, where his long and successful basketball career began. He was the first student from Pitkin High School to be offered a college basketball scholarship, attending McNeese State University where he earned a Bachelor and Master of Education.

After graduation, he returned to Pitkin High School and served as an assistant basketball coach to Mr. B. R. Harvey. One year later, he began his basketball coaching career at East Beauregard High School which spanned from 1962 to 1972. His career coaching record was 314-59. Coach Cain won eight straight District championships and was six times the District Coach of the Year.

He was twice named Louisiana's Coach of the Year and in 1992 was inducted into the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Coach Cain was known for his exemplary shooting technique and taught countless players how to be effective scorers. He was also known for his creative coaching tactics and his attention to his players' behavior and appearance.

He often said, "If we get off the bus and enter the gym looking and acting professional, we are already ahead of our opponent." His players arrived in blazers, ties, and slacks and carried their gym bags in the same hand as they exited the bus. Coach Cain also studied uniform designs to present a professional and classy appearance. His attention to detail would serve him well in the years to come.

In 1972, James David began his illustrious political career which would span over 36 years, serving in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1972 - 1992 and then as a Louisiana State Senator from 1992 - 2008. He was known for being conscientious and working tirelessly, making numerous phone calls daily to meet his constituents' needs and hear their ideas for legislation. He was fastidious in returning calls, even working into the late hours of the night.

Senator Cain treated each need as his own and improved the lives of his constituents and countless others throughout the state. From gathering birth certificates and retirement documents to arranging doctors' appointments and job opportunities, he met the needs of everyone, no matter their situation or status. Senator Cain was a forward-thinking legislator, creating laws that were deemed unnecessary at the time, but have now become current issues of concern.

Several of these were the prohibition of selling Louisiana farmland to foreign entities and discontinuing inspection stickers to save money and time for rural citizens. In addition, he presented a bill to financially help students attend college which was a predecessor to what eventually became the Louisiana TOPS program we have today.

He was also continuously working to create laws that would make a lasting and positive impact on his district and state. One of these is his "Right on Red" law, allowing citizens to turn right on red at a traffic light - a law still appreciated and used today. Ironically, Pitkin and Dry Creek have no traffic lights! As a result of his numerous accomplishments and countless endeavors, Senator James David Cain was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame.

After retiring from his political career, James David enjoyed time on his Dry Creek farm, tending to his cattle and horses, accompanied by his buddy and companion, a dog named Little Bit. He and his wife, Renee, also produced many successful barrel horses through the years, demonstrating his keen eye for detail and quality. He was extremely proud of his family and enjoyed spending time visiting and laughing at reunions and get-togethers. He appreciated the heritage and legacy set forth by his parents and continued to live by those values throughout his life.

James David Cain's passion and goal in life was to help people. The Lord used him to accomplish this above and beyond what a country boy from Pitkin could have ever dreamed.

He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Renee Cole Cain, his children, Melissa Cain Milnor and Hon. Judge James D. Cain, Jr. (Angie), Angela and Joe Guglielmo (Stephanie), and four grandchildren, Juliana and Haley 'beth Cain, Amanda Milnor, and Austin Guglielmo. He is also survived by two brothers, Alton J. Cain, Jr. and Burl Cain (Jonalyn), and a host of nieces and nephews. James David was preceded in death by his parents, Alton J. Sr. and Mary Etta Cain, one brother, William (Billy) Cain, and two sisters, Ethlyn Cain Branch and Mary Cain Clark.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dry Creek Baptist Camp or the McNeese Foundation.

The family will receive friends at Grace Church from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. (CDT) today (May 16). Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 17, 2024, at Grace Church, 111 S. Texas St., DeRidder, Louisiana. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery, Ragley, Louisiana.