LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Former Lafayette Mayor William “Dud” Lastrapes, Jr. died Wednesday at the age of 94.

Lastrapes served as the Mayor of Lafayette from 1980-1992, serving three consecutive terms. Before his time as mayor, Lastrapes also served as a Lafayette School Board member from 1972-1980.

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During his time in office, Lastrapes over saw the opening of Cajundome which was a project worth $64 million and recommend the first plans for what would become the Camellia Bridge.

Born in New Orleans, Lastrapes grew up in Opelousas and later attended Southwestern Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In 1951, he entered the Air Force and was stationed in South Korea until 1953.

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After his time in the military, Lastrapes became a reporter and newscaster for the newly opened KLFY-TV Channel 10. He would leave KLFY to go into radio for a short time, but returned to KLFY to become the news director, a position he held until 1970.

Information for Lastrapes funeral arrangements can be found here.

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