MARKSVILLE - Raymond Laborde, a former state lawmaker and commissioner of administration for Governor Edwin Edwards, has died according to his family. He was 88 years old.

Laborde passed away Sunday morning in his native Marksville. Laborde was elected mayor of Marksville in 1958 and served in that office until 1970. After that Laborde moved on to represent the area in the state Legislature as a representative from 1972 until 1992.

In 1992 he was tapped by former classmate Edwin Edwards to serve as his commissioner of administration after Laborde worked as Edwards' floor leader for many years. While they were both students at Marksville High School, Laborde had actually defeated Edwards in a race for senior class president.

In 2003 Laborde was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum's Hall of Fame, and operated Raymond's Department Store up until his death.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie Sanchez Laborde; his five children, Raymond J. Laborde II, Charles Laborde, Donald A. Laborde, Minnie C. Lafargue and Rachel Laborde Karam, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A wake will be Tuesday at Hixon Funeral Home in Marksville from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., then again Wednesday at 8:00 a.m. until the funeral begins at 11:00 a.m.