The Port Arthur News
PORT ARTHUR — Sunrise Sunset
02/16/1934 03/05/2010
Louis Hatch, Jr., was a native of Goudeau, LA. He was one of thirteen children born to the union of Louis Hatch, Sr. and Stella Barnes Hatch. He was nurtured and baptized in his youth at Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church of Goudeau, LA. He met and married his childhood sweetheart Irene Harris on October 31, 1953. Together with their family they moved to Port Arthur in 1957. Rev. Hatch served as Pastor of Guiding Star Baptist Church from July 1, 1974 until his retirement in 2002. In 2008 Pastor Emeritus Hatch united with Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor James Henderson. He was also President Emeritus of the Congress of the Progressive Baptist State Convention of Texas, and Pastor Emeritus of the Guiding Star Missionary Baptist Church.
Louis was preceded in death by his siblings, Azelia, Lawrence, Elton, Asimae, Mary Lee, Johnny, Ruth, Stanley, Mardia, and Weston.
On Friday, March 5, 2010 he answered God’s call at Senior Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing Center.
He leaves to cherish his memories wife of 56 years, Irene Harris Hatch; sons, Johnny Ray (Barbara), Louis III (Detra), and Johnny (Georgia); daughter, Dana Hatch-Banks (Albert); two grandchildren, Sharlene and Louis IV; one sister, Frances Hatch-Taylor (Andrew); one brother, John Curtis (Diana); and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held on Friday, March 12 at Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 13, at 2:00 pm, Pastor Lloyd W. Scott officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home.
Special thanks to Southeast Texas Nephrology Associates Dialysis Unit, Dr. Hiner and Staff, Senior Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing Center, Dr. A. Arcala, Dr. John Lee and Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church.
