Robert Floyd Kennon Sr. (August 21, 1902 – January 11, 1988), was an American politician and judge who served as the 48th governor of Louisiana, an associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, a judge of the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal, the district attorney of Bossier Parish and Webster Parish, and mayor of Minden, Louisiana. During Kennon's governorship, he additionally served as chairman of the National Governors Association and chairman of the Council of State Governments.

Quick Facts Bob Kennon, 48th Governor of Louisiana ...

Bob Kennon
48th Governor of Louisiana
In office May 13, 1952 – May 8, 1956
Lieutenant	C. E. Barham
Preceded by	Earl Long
Succeeded by	Earl Long
Chair of the National Governors Association
In office July 11, 1954 – August 9, 1955
Preceded by	Daniel I. J. Thornton
Succeeded by	Arthur B. Langlie
Judge of the Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal
In office 1945–1952
Preceded by	Harmon Caldwell Drew
Succeeded by	J. Frank McInnis
Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court
In office 1945–1946
Preceded by	Archibald T. Higgins
Succeeded by	E. Howard McCaleb
District Attorney of Bossier and Webster Parishes
In office December 6, 1930 – January 6, 1941
Preceded by	R. H. Lee
Succeeded by	Graydon Kitchens (Acting)
Mayor of Minden, Louisiana
In office 1926–1928
Preceded by	Connell Fort
Succeeded by	Henry L. Bridges
Personal details
Born	Robert Floyd Kennon (1902-08-21)August 21, 1902 Dubberly, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	January 11, 1988(1988-01-11) (aged 85) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Eugenia Sentell
Relations	Edward Kennon (Nephew)
Children	3
Education	Louisiana State University (BA, LLB)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Rank	Colonel
Battles/wars	World War II

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Kennon was born near Minden, Louisiana. He graduated from Minden High School in 1919 and then went to Louisiana State University. While at LSU, Kennon played football and tennis.^[1] He completed his undergrad there in 1923 and his law degree there in 1925.^[2]

In 1925, Kennon was elected mayor of Minden, Louisiana, at the age of 23. He served in that position until 1928. In 1930, he became district attorney for Bossier Parish. He served as a district attorney until 1940. He also served as district attorney in Webster Parish. Apparently he was attorney for both parishes at the same time.^[3]

Kennon was elected to the 2nd circuit court of appeals in 1940. However, he instead of serving joined the United States military and did not take up active service as a judge until after World War II.^[4]

While governor, Kennon reestablished the state civil service in Louisiana, which had been abolished by his predecessor Earl Long. He also advocated constitutional amendments to limit the power of the governor's office. He also worked to create home rule for New Orleans and end state government interference in local issues there.^[5] Other things Kennon did while governor were ensuring that every precinct had a voting machine while working to suppress illegal slot machines and gambling in the state.^[6] During Kennon's governorship, he additionally served as chairman of the National Governors Association from 1954 to 1955, and as chairman of the Council of State Governments in 1955.^[7]