Former Washington Parish Clerk of Court Johnny D. Crain Sr. passed away early Sunday morning after an illness. He was the father of current Clerk of Court Johnny D. Crain Jr.
Crain, age 82, served as Clerk from 1992 until 2012, when he was succeeded by his son.
Crain had been a Parish Police Juror for 16 years before serving as Clerk. In 1991, then-Clerk of Court Dwayne Seal announced that he would retire and not seek re-election in October 1991.
Crain threw his hat into the ring and campaigned strongly for the job. In the October election, Crain and Randy Seal came in first and second, with neither obtaining the “50% plus one” to avoid a run-off.
The two moved into the run-off, with Crain coming out ahead. He received 10,191 votes in the runoff, and Seal had 8,909. Crain was elected, and was sworn into office the following year, 1992. After his loss to Crain, Randy Seal remained in politics, running successfully for Assessor and later for Sheriff.
Crain is credited with modernizing the Clerk’s office and streamlining some of the policies and procedures. Crain served 5 terms, and his appeal was largely based on his putting into daily practice his philosophy of public service, which included constantly reminding his employees that they worked for the people of Washington Parish.
Late in 2011, Crain decided not to seek a 6th term. His son, Johnny D. Crain Jr., was elected to succeed him, and the younger Crain remains the Washington Parish Clerk of Court today.
