Cliff Dressel, who served as the St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court for over 40 years and was the longest-tenured Clerk of Court in the state of Louisiana, passed away Friday evening. Funeral arrangements are currently pending.
Dressel began his career with the St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court in June 1965 as a Deputy Clerk of Court and in August of 1969 he was appointed Chief Deputy Clerk. He was elected as Clerk in July 1984 upon the retirement of his uncle, Benny Blakeman. He was elected to 10 consecutive terms over 40 years, bringing his total service to 59 years at the end of his 10th term.
Dressel announced on May 8, 2023 that he would not seek re-election when his term of office concluded on June 30, 2024. Retired Judge Greg Aucoin was elected as St. Mary Parish Clerk of Court on August 10, 2023 when no other candidates qualified to run against him the fall election.
Dressel had the honor of being the only Clerk of Court to be elected as President of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association for two terms.
Dressel attributed his success to hiring good employees and providing them with the training and equipment to maintain and provide the highest level of service to the public, Court system, legal community, and the parish’s official records as its custodian. He also thanked his family for their love and support throughout his long career.
When asked whether Dressel was concerned about someone breaking his record as the longest- tenured Clerk of Court in the State, Dressel commented that “he’d become concerned when they reached 50 years.”