Former State Senator Dr. Tassin passes away at 76

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Dr. Adam “John” Tassin, Jr., MD, passed away on December 23 after a long battle with complications from COVID-19. He was 76-years old. Originally from Bordelonville, Tassin graduated from medical school at LSU in 1969. After completing his internship at Earl K. Long Hospital in Baton Rouge, he moved to Ville Platte to open his practice. Tassin’s clinic was a walk-in, and he treated every patient who walked into his office. Fluent in French, he was able to treat his French patients who did not speak English. He also made house calls.
In the 1970’s, Tassin served in the Louisiana senate, representing Allen, Avoyelles and Evangeline parishes in central Louisiana, from 1972 to 1976, and was the youngest member of the state senate. He was appointed to the Louisiana Racing Commission in 1981 and served for three years.
Some who knew Tassin commented on his legacy and the man they admired. Evangeline Parish Tax Assessor Dirk Deville said, “He was just a fabulous individual. He contributed so much to our community back in the day. I know in recent years he had come to me with requests to assist certain people with certain problems, and I always felt that after everything he did for us, I was going to assist as much as I could. We’re going to sadly miss him. Just a man who gave so much, and I know, personally, that he gave so much to poor people. He treated a lot of people who could not afford the services, but he did it because he wanted to and he loved people. I’m sure he’s in a better place.”
Judge Chuck West said, “How to comment on a legend? That man has done more for Evangeline Parish than most I can think of. He was a community leader, a civic leader, physician, helped people who were in need, always involved in politics. How do you compliment a legend? That says it all. His name is going to reverberate throughout Evangeline Parish for years and years to come.”
Evangeline Parish Sheriff Charles Guillory said, “When I was younger, we’d go deer hunting together in Bordelonville. We went several times with his brother, Floyd Tassin, and my uncle. As a person, Dr. Tassin was a very helpful man, very friendly. Anything he did was to help you out. Even when we were deer-hunting, he was helpful, he’d get his hands dirty. He was just a man who would help out and wasn’t afraid to do anything. If you needed anything, all you had to do was ask. Very educated man, he was intelligent, but most of all, I respected him for just being a common, normal man who was very helpful. That, to me, was a great asset on his part. It was part of his personality. And I’ve never seen him angry. Just another legend gone from Ville Platte.”
Senate President Page Cortez said of former State Senator Tassin: “We are all deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and colleague Dr. Adam “John” Tassin, Jr., member of State Senate from 1972- 1976. He was a dedicated public servant and he worked tirelessly to better the lives of his fellow Louisianans, not only by his service in the Senate and other public office, but also through his work in his Family Practice. Those who knew him were proud to call him a friend. His dedication and loyalty to his community will never be forgotten. His death, after a long battle with COVID-19, is truly a loss for our state. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
Tassin is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sheilda Durr Tassin, his son, Adam John Tassin, III, his daughter, Cynthia Michelle Tassin, his stepdaughters Renee’ King Soileau, and Tammy King Fontenot Doucet, and stepson Wesley Oden King, 11 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
The obituary can be found on Page 2.