David C. Treen David Conner Treen, Sr., (born July 16, 1928) was the first Republican governor of the U.S. state of Louisiana since Reconstruction. A narrow victor in the general election held in the fall of 1979, Treen served as governor from 1980 to 1984. He lost his bid for reelection in 1983 to his long-time rival, Democrat Edwin Washington Edwards. Treen was born in Baton Rouge to Mr. and Mrs. Paul Treen. He graduated from Fortier High School in New Orleans in 1945. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Tulane University in New Orleans in 1948. In 1950, he graduated from Tulane Law School. In 1951, he wed the former Dolores Brisbi (November 23, 1929--March 19, 2005), a graduate of Newcomb College in New Orleans, whom he met while he was attending Tulane. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1952.
