Businessman Gordon Klein Konrad services set for Tuesday morning

GORDON KLEIN KONRAD, a retired attorney and successful businessman whose firms include Konrad Properties and Belle Chasse Marine Transportation Company, died unexpectedly on Sun., December 17. He was 76.

A New Orleans native, Konrad attended Alcee Fortier High School, graduating in 1959. He attended classes at Louisiana State University at New Orleans (LSUNO) for several years prior to transferring to Loyola University’s School of Law. He graduated at the top of his class in 1965 before embarking on a career in law. 

Konrad was a former prosecutor for the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office and founded the law firm of Konrad, Ernest and Michaelis. He was a member of both the Jefferson Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

While still working as an attorney, he founded Belle Chasse Marine Transportation Company in 1977. He retired from the field of law in order to devote his energies to the business, which today is the largest launch service on the lower Mississippi River and maintains offices elsewhere internationally. Konrad founded Konrad Properties,  a commercial real estate firm,  in order to manage his many properties. 

He was also the owner of Maxum Oil Service de Panama and served as a director for the Bank of New Orleans. He was a former member of Congregation Gates of Prayer.

Konrad is survived by his second wife of 26 years, Lana Werner Konrad, with whom he ran Konrad Properties; his sons Ian Konrad, Shawn Michael Konrad (Anayansi) and Gordon “Rob” Konrad (Allison); a daughter, Courtney Konrad Asprodites (Phillip); a step-son, Dr. Blake Babcock (Jessica); and 10 grandchildren. 

Relatives and friends  attended a graveside service in Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Public visitation was at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home from 9:00 am until service time. Rabbi Yossie Nemes officiated.