Judge Ralph J. Hanks. Jr.

Judge Ralph Joseph Hanks, Jr., 80, died Thursday, July 15, 2010, in a local hospital, with his family at his side.

Born in Crowley, Louisiana, Judge Hanks moved to Lake Charles in 1944. He was a 1946 graduate of Landry High School, and then graduated from McNeese State University, and later obtained his law degree from Louisiana State University. He was a partner in the law firm of Tritico, Tritico, Hood, Hanks and Findley. From 1961 until 1965, he served as City Prosecutor for the City of Lake Charles, and he served as acting City Judge from 1968 until his election to the Ward 3 City Bench in 1978. He was a member of the Louisiana Trial Lawyers' Association and the American Bar Association.

Judge Hanks was a member of St. Margaret Catholic Church and also attended Sulphur United Pentecostal Church. He was active in the Young Mens Business Club and the Buccaneer Club.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Abshire Hanks; two sons, Ralph J. "Ricky" Hanks, III and wife Cindy of Lake Charles and Randy Joseph Hanks and wife Kristi of Sulphur; two daughters, Denise L. Hanks (Brock Kobayashi) of Houston and Deidre A. Hanks (Beau Vallee) of Lake Charles; one stepson, Glenn Benoit, also of Lake Charles; and grandchildren Erin-Beth Hanks, Meghan Ruth Hanks, Seth Logan Hall, Bailey Marie Hanks, Jaxon David Hanks, Grifin Cade Hanks, Brittany Dawn Benoit, Brett Joseph Benoit, Brant Alexander Benoit and Brock Griffin Benoit.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph J. Hanks, Sr. and Nolie Bernard Hanks.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, July 19, 2010, at Johnson Funeral Home. Msgr. Charles DuBois will officiate. Burial will be at Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday from 3 until 7 p.m. and on Monday from 8a.m. until service time.