Kathy June (Kasper) Wingate

Published 3:56 pm Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Kathy June Wingate, age 75, died June 8, 2024 after a short illness She was born in Smithville, Texas on June 25, 1948, the fourth child of John (Joe) Kasper and Ruby T. Kasper, and was baptized at Grace Lutheran Church on July 11, 1948.

Six months later her family moved to the Port Arthur area where she remained a resident until she passed away.

Fresh out of PNG High School with excellent grades in shorthand and typing and one month from her 18^th birthday, Kathy was hired by the law firm of Lamson & Plessala. She was a fast learner and just five years later she was the only person in Texas that year to be certified by the State of Texas as a Professional Legal Secretary (PLS); now the equivalent of being a paralegal.

On July 24, 1981 she married Ruben Daniel (Dan) Wingate at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Port Arthur. Kathy and Dan were privileged to tour many countries in Europe during their long marriage.

After Kathy “retired” some years later, she enrolled at Lamar University to pursue a degree and graduated as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. The skills she learned were used extensively later in life as she was a faithful caregiver for her father, her mother, and sister, Doris Ann, who was both mentally and physically challenged.

The funeral service is set for Friday, June 14 at 2 p.m., there will be a one-hour visitation for family and friends followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Melancon-Levingston Funeral Home, 5601 39^th Street, Groves, TX with Reverend Dan Elkins officiating.

Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Wingate was preceded in death by her first husband, her parents, three brothers: Virgil, Kenneth, and A.J. Kasper, Jr. and one sister, Doris Ann Kasper.

Survivors include her husband, Dan Wingate and his sons, Rodney (Leslie) Wingate and children, Brenna and Chase Wingate of Vidor, TX; Patrick “Randy” (Rami) Wingate of Washington, D.C. and children Canaan and Maya Wingate studying at McGee University in Montreal, Canada.

She is also survived by one sister, Geneva (Rev. Dan) Elkins of Olive Branch, MS; two nieces: Terri (Rev. KC) Dehning of Kokomo, IN, and Peggy (David) Watson of Collierville, TN and one nephew, Matthew (Jana) Elkins of Southaven, MS. Grandnieces and grandnephews:  Tana (William) Uffenbeck and children, William, Jenna and Katherine of Beloit, WI; Cassandra Joy (Larry) Clingler and children Amelia (Mia) and Curtis of Kokomo, IN; nephew, Caleb (Samantha) Dehning of IN; Nikki (Kyle) LaCroix of Memphis, TN; Shelby Watson of Hagerstown, MD, Erin (Austin) Faller of Memphis, TN, and James Watson and daughter, Harmoni Watson of Collierville, TN; Andrew, Lauren, Katherine (Carter) Gross, Lindsey, Madelyn, Lexi, and Hannah Elkins of Southaven, MS.

Friends wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to Peace Lutheran Church, 5801 W. Jefferson, Groves, TX 77619; Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 2711 Helena St., Nederland, TX; or a charity of their choice.