Services for former Patterson mayor set for Wednesday

Services for James L. ‘Jimmy’ Bernauer, whose service to the St. Mary Parish and Patterson city governments stretched back more than six decades, were scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Bernauer, 98, died Sunday.

Bernauer was Patterson’s mayor from January 1995 to December 2006. During his three terms, the Patterson city government obtained funding for a new City Hall, a new police headquarters and a new fire station.

“Mr. Jimmy’s leadership was not only a blessing to the City of Patterson, but he also led the parish civil defense program for decades and did a fantastic job,” Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan said Monday in an email.

He also served as a Patterson alderman for 28 years: 1958-62, 1966-78 and 1982-94.

On the parish level, Bernauer served 48 years as the parish civil defense director and, according to information submitted for his obituary, was appointed to that post by Gov. Earl Long.

He also worked at Mobil Oil Corp. for 42 years.

Bernauer received the American Legion Post 242 Russell Breaux Citizens of the Year Ward in 1992.

Bernauer is survived by a daughter, Terri Bernauer Burnside, and her husband Wolfgang.

Services were set for 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church. He was to interred at the St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum.