Biography: Louis Anthony Renaud, a.k.a. “Papa Lou”, joined his son Brent Renaud and brothers Tom & Ed in Heaven on Saturday, September 7th. Shortly before his passing, Lou had visions of Brent, Tom & Ed waiting for him. Lou passed away peacefully in his recliner, and is now healthy and whole with Jesus. 

Lou’s son Brent Renaud was a documentary filmmaker and became known around the world on March 13, 2022 when he became the first journalist murdered in Ukraine. Lou was always so proud of Brent’s work and despite the constant risk, he always encouraged Brent to pursue his passion. When Brent wasn’t traveling the world, he made a point to come home to Little Rock and spend quality time watching the Razorbacks and eating pizza with Lou. They were very close, and it brings us peace knowing they are reunited.    

Lou was known for his incredible generosity, compassion, and humor. He would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. He helped countless people he met through his work as a traveling salesman and through Alcoholics Anonymous. As an AA sponsor, he would often offer his home to those who needed a second chance. 

Lou was also known for his toughness and strength, which served him well as he fought Parkinson’s for over ten years. Just shy of 83 years old, he shook off bumps and bruises like a heavy-weight fighter. Up until the day he died he would tell you that he could make it to 100. He learned his toughness on “The Hill” in St Louis, Missouri, where in those days you had to be street smart and scrappy. Lou loved telling elaborate (perhaps slightly exaggerated) stories of his youth on The Hill that often felt like an episode of the Soprano’s. He was the middle son of Alberta and Tom Renaud. They had a big Catholic, Italian family with Lou, two older brothers (twins Tom & Ed) and two younger sisters (Susie & Joyce). 

Lou was the first one in his family to attend and graduate from college, where he met his first wife Georgann. They had three children together; Michele, Brent, and Craig. Lou loved being a traveling sales rep and owned his own company. He was a wonderful father. The kind of father who coached his son’s soccer teams, and drove the getaway car for his teenage daughter and friends when they went “rolling.” He was the cool dad, loved and respected deeply by all of his kids’ closest friends who simply called him “Lou.”  
 
He loved spending time at the lake with his family. He taught all his kids how to Slalom ski and his grandsons how to shoot BB guns. “Papa Lou” would let his grandsons Taylor and Peyton stay up late watching R rated movies like Jaws, while binging on Hershey kisses and potato chips. He taught his grandson Tai how to build an electric train set, and would never let Parkison’s stop him from walking across soccer fields to cheer Tai on. 

Lou always told his kids and grandkids that 90% of success in life is showing up. Lou certainly showed up for our family big time. We will miss him dearly. He will be laid to rest next to his son Brent at the Pulaski Heights Methodist Church Columbarium. 

A special thank you to Arkansas Hospice - Andrea Toomer, Rita Reece Presley Carter, Shirley & Sara. 
Lou’s aides Denise and Tasha. Thank you to all the staff at Poplar Grove (Regina Taylor). They all had the same thing to say about Lou, he was “so sweet and kind.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BrentRenaudFoundation.org

A small service will be held at Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church at 10am in the chapel, on Thursday, October 3, 2024. Services are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com