VIDALIA — Fred Falkenheiner washed away the bad of life with his happy outlook, his family and LSU baseball.

Falkenheiner, 69, died Tuesday after a long illness, including a battle with cancer.

But he didn’t leave this world without making an impact, friends in Vidalia said.

Falkenheiner worked for the people of Concordia Parish for 30 years, ultimately as police jury president.

He worked alongside others to ensure the creation of the parish airport terminal and the new courthouse, among other things.

“He was a tremendous asset to the City of Vidalia in his capacity as a police jury member,” Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland said. “He was a tremendous asset to every committee he belonged to.

“He worked extremely hard for the City of Vidalia and he is going to be missed sorely.”

Falkenheiner served on the police jury until December 1999, when cancer took its toll on his health.

Out of the public eye, Falkenheiner continued to be a source of strength for his friends and family, cousin Percy Rountree said.

“He was always helping others, even if he was the one who needed help,” he said.

In 2000, Falkenheiner was named The Natchez Democrat’s Citizen of the Year for his work in the parish and with the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, American Cancer Society and March of Dimes.

But before his political career began, Falkenheiner was a pitcher on the LSU baseball team.

And he continued to enjoy attending the games until recently, and later listening on the radio, friend Logan Sewell said.

“He was a fine fellow,” Sewell said. “He suffered a lot in the last few years and took it like a gentleman.”

Falkenheiner is survived by his wife Phyllis; three children, Phillip, Lee and Ellyn, and several grandchildren.