In Memoriam: Mr. Frank Guidroz, Mentor to Many

By Mia Freneaux

    Mr. Frank Guidroz, known to many personally here in Central, passed away on Sunday, February 13.  He was the beloved husband of Mary Jane Guidroz, his wife of 57 years, and father to 4 daughters – Sonia, Brenda, Linda, and Mona.  At the time of his passing, he had 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  “It is amazing how many lives he touched,” his family shared.  Mr. Guidroz came to this community while still a young man, and began teaching industrial arts in 1955 at the age of 25.  He came to Central High School mid-term, and taught Ken Montgomery, prominent Central builder, that year.  “We were friends from then on,” Mr. Montgomery remembered.  “He treated me like a son, took me under his wing, and helped me get in the building business.”  Mr. Guidroz mentored many young people during his tenure at CHS.  His family counted among his students a veritable Who’s Who of Central leadership –  Mac Watts, Doug Welborn, Bodi White, Gordon Rogillio, Clif Richardson, Bobby Dale Callender, the list goes on and on.   Mr. Guidroz was recognized for his amazing skills with young people, winning East Baton Rouge Parish Teacher of the Year in 1965.  He also won the prestigious Louisiana Vocational Association Merit Award that same year.  “He was a very stern disciplinarian,” former CHS principal and Assistant Superintendent Ronnie Devall shared.  “ You knew he did it to help you succeed.  His classroom was always very orderly and disciplined.  I always looked up to him.  He was a great person and a great role model for a kid to have.”  “He didn’t say much, but he was a good man,” said Ken Montgomery.  “He touched a lot of people.  He did a lot of stuff behind the scenes.  There were lots of young boys that Frank helped to straighten out.”  Mr. Guidroz eventually became a guidance counselor, then became principal of Central Middle School in 1973.  It was there that he mentored attorney Larry Murray in 1975.  “Not everyone is capable of being a friend and a disciplinarian,” Mr. Murray shared, “but he could do both.  He was more than just an administrator, he was a real friend.”  Mr. Murray reminisced about the time Mr. Guidroz was trying to discover why several students seemed to always be short lunch money.  The truth came out when one of Mr. Murray’s “salesmen” had the top come off of the bottle of cinnamon toothpicks he was selling.  It leaked through his pocket and started burning his leg!  Mr. Murray was sent to Mr. Guidroz’ office, where he confessed to getting the cinnamon oil innocently from his father, John Murray, who owned Murray’s Pharmacy.  It was Larry Murray’s idea to turn it into a financial opportunity!  Needless to say, the outcome wasn’t pleasant.  Every time Mr. Guidroz saw him afterwards, he would ask if he was still in the cinnamon toothpick market!  Mr. Guidroz never did find out about the time Mr. Murray stuck a folded towel in his pants and thus avoided the worst of retribution.  “He knew how to nurture kids in difficult moments,” Mr. Murray stated.  “He could paddle you on Thursday, then have his arm around you on Friday and comfort you in the loss of the football game.  He knew when you needed a boost, and when you needed swatting, and he did both.”  Mr. Guidroz retired in 1981 officially, but immediately took on another challenge.  David Starkey, one of the founders of Starkey Academy, shared how he was trying to find a solution to the bussing that was prevalent at that time.  “Frank told me if I could get him the property – he would build a school.  It was his concept and idea.”  Mr. Guidroz got Ken Montgomery involved, and they built Starkey Academy in 72 days!  Mr. Starkey said it was the perfect partnership, “It was a happy coincidence – our need combined with his desire.  We had 4 board members initially – Frank Guidroz, Ken Montgomery, Jesse Gurney, and myself.  We also had an active group of Charter Members.  Frank knew what it took academically to run a school, the rest of us handled the business aspects.”  Under Mr. Guidroz’ leadership, Starkey Academy grew tremendously.  “Frank brought on great teachers.  They all loved him.”  100 plus families had students attending Starkey Academy in the beginning.  “Frank just loved kids,” Mr. Starkey stated. “ He had a way about him.  He was big-hearted, he wanted to help all children, to help mold them.  He did a great job.  He did it by caring.”  Mr. Guidroz would remain principal at Starkey until 1990, then remained on the board for another decade.  It is impressive to consider that while Mr. Guidroz was a full time teacher, administrator, and family man, he also found time to teach drafting at Southeastern University and pursue his hobbies of hunting, fishing and carpentry.  “He taught me the value of a good work ethic,” Larry Murray shared, “hard work, honesty, and really caring about people.  That last is probably the most important thing anyone can do.” Frank Guidroz would surely agree.