Kent Edward Bairnsfather Sr.

Kent “Kenny” “Coach” “Plunger” Bairnsfather Sr, age 78, passed away peacefully at home on April 15, 2025, surrounded by his family. Kent was a native of New Orleans and a resident of Jefferson Parish for over 70 years.

Kent is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Barbara Faller Bairnsfather: his children, Kent Bairnsfather Jr, Brian Bairnsfather (Charlene), Mark Bairnsfather (Teri) and Vicki Spillers (Mark “Casper”); his grandchildren, Abigail, Ethan, Julia, Grant, Logan, Blaise, Wyatt and Hudson Bairnsfather and Noah and Madigan Spillers. Kent was preceded in death by his parents, Hartwell and Marion Bairnsfather and his grandchildren, Emmalyn and Dominic Bairnsfather.

Kent “Coach” was a volunteer for over 25 years with the Jefferson Parish Recreation Department as a coach and mentor to thousands of youth. In more recent years, he was a proud member of Archbishop Rummel High School Chain Gang, where you would find him every week under the Friday Night Lights for over 35 years. He was also a member of St. Christopher and Archbishop Rummel School’s Mens Club. Kent spent his plumbing career as a Union Member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #60.

He was an active member of Perfect Union Lodge #1 F & AM and the Jerusalem Temple Shriners Clown Unit for over 40 years, where he is fondly remembered by family and friends as “Plunger”. He will be missed by all that he made smile in the last 4 decades of clowning.

Visitation will be Saturday, April 26, 2025, at St. Christopher the Martyr Catholic Church from 9:30-12:00 followed by Mass at 12:00.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that Masses be said in his name or a donation to Shriners Hospital for Children.