Vermilion Parish loses former state rep Mickey Frith

Former Vermilion Parish State Representative and educator Mickey Frith passed away Tuesday night after a long illness.
He was 71 years old.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Vincent Funeral Home in Kaplan. As of Tuesday night, they had not been released.
Frith leaves behind his wife, Millie, and three sons - Brent, Trent and Clint Frith, and a host of grandchildren.
Long before Frith was a state rep, he was first an educator in Vermilion Parish.
From 1964 to 1988 he taught in the school system. He was a former coach, as well as an assistant principal. He was principal from 1989 to 1990.
After retiring, Frith threw his hat into the political ring for state representative. He represented the west end of Vermilion Parish from 1995 to 2007.
After three terms in Baton Rouge, Frith got out of politics. Replacing him was a young Kaplan lawyer named Jonathan Perry. Today, Perry is a state senator representing Vermilion Parish.
The two had a special bond. One man was getting out of politics, while another one was coming into it.
Perry recalls a moment in Baton Rouge in the State Capitol when Frith pointed Perry out during a committee meeting Frith was on.
“Mr. Mickey stopped the entire committee that he was serving on and made an announcement, ‘I would like to introduce the young man who will be taking my place.’ I won’t ever forget that.’”
Frith was correct, because Perry would take his place.
“Having replaced Mr. Mickey in the House of Representatives makes his passing hit close to home,” Perry added. “I considered Mr. Mickey a friend and have become extremely close to his family. He will be greatly missed. The entire Frith family are in Christine and my prayers.”
Occupying Frith’s old state representative seat today in Gueydan’s Bob Hensgens.
“He was a great educator, public servant, a great father and husband,” said Hensgens. “He was a great man who cared about the community. We were all lucky to have him. He will be missed.”