George Dement 1989-2005

In 2005 at the age of 83, Mayor George Dement completed his fourth and final term as mayor and of the fastest growing city in Louisiana. He was born in 1922 in a farm house near Princeton, LA and graduated from Elm Grove High School. He served on a submarine in World War II as a Navy cook, and married Bossier High School Homecoming Queen Sunshine Norris. She convinced him to quit his bartending job on the Bossier Strip and join the First Baptist Church of Bossier City. With his wife, ran a small restaurant called the “Doghouse,” then owned at least thirteen more local eateries and managed a Holiday Inn.

As mayor, Dement expanded the Bossier Parks and Recreation youth facilities and programs, planned for exceptional economic and population growth and envisioned the Benton Road overpass and the Louisiana Boardwalk. He has been honored by countless organizations including an honorary Doctor of Law degree from Centenary College.

Sources:

• Eric Brock, “Seven Mayors Led Bossier’s Second Half-Century,” Shreveport Times, 5 December 1998, sec. A, 13.
• Jerry Byrd, “Bossier City’s Mayor has Lived the American Dream,” Mature Living, Shreveport, LA, 30 January 2003, 3-4.
• “Bossier Mayor May Get Pay Raise,” Shreveport Times, 13 July 1999, sec A, 1.