CROWLEY - Judge Kristian Earles is the only child of Carolyn and Denny Earles of Crowley.

“When Kristian was younger, I did not worry about him too much because he could play by himself,” said Judge Earles’ mother, Carolyn. “He was very independent.”

Judge Earles attended St. Michael’s Elementary School and he graduated from Crowley High School.

“He made good grades,” laughed Carolyn. “He did just enough to get by.”

But, in college, Judge Earles made the Dean’s List at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

He went to work for the UL campus police department, but he decided that this was not going to provide enough income for his future plans.

“Kristian told me that he was going back to school for a law degree,” said Carolyn. “He drove for three years to Baton Rouge and back to attend Southern University.”

He again made the Dean’s List.

“Kristian actually graduated from Southern University second in his class,” explained Carolyn proudly. Then she laughed, “An older woman beat him out of the number one spot.”

When Judge Earles was younger, he raced go carts, then he raced motorcycles in Cade and then sailboats in Lake Arthur.

“We sailed for 15 years,” said Carolyn. “My husband Denny was the one who sailed and Kristian was the crew.”

“Kristian is very competitive,” said his mother.

“I remember the Crawfish Regatta in Lake Arthur,” recalls Carolyn. “Our boat, called the ‘You Bet,’ was so fast we would complete the race, come back and have time for a beer while waiting for the others.”

Eventually they bought Judge Earles his own boat.

“We bought Kristian a very old boat which was full of water. We refurbished it completely,” said Carolyn. “We painted it black outside, beige inside and instead of a steering wheel we installed a tiller.”

Judge Earles flew a skull and cross bones flag on the boat because it resembled a pirate ship.

Judge Earles first ran for the office of city council, district two (the historical district) and lost to Dr. J. M. Buatt Jr. His next election he involved himself with was for city council alderman-at-large.

“This was voted on by the entire city of Crowley, explained Carolyn. “And he won.”

He lost his next election for police juror, district two.

“Kristian likes politics,” said Carolyn. “His grandpa, the late Barney Earles, was in politics. Once Barney lost an election by only three votes.”

Earles then ran for district judge of Acadia Parish and won.

Currently, he is married to Renee Istre Earles, who was his high school sweetheart. They have four children. He is in his second, six-year term as judge. He also remains active.

“Even at 43 years old, today he is taking another judge sailing with him in his 15 acre pond at his present home in Iota,” concluded Carolyn.