Maynard Maurice Woodhatch

Maynard Maurice Woodhatch died peacefully on Saturday, March 5th,

2016 in Lake Charles. Mr. Woodhatch, was born November 20 1925, and

was a native of Rosepine, Louisiana. After graduating from Rosepine

High school at age 16, he attended Louisiana State University where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Maynard joined the U.S. Navy in 1944 where he proudly served our country in the Pacific Theater. Notably, Maynard fought in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle of World War ll. Maynard vividly remembered the Kamikaze attack on his ship. After Japan’s surrender, he was part of the occupying force in Tokyo. Maynard was amazed at the contrast between the near complete devastation of Tokyo and the cooperative nature of its citizens. Maynard was truly a member of the Greatest Generation. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Maynard went back to Louisiana where he completed his education at LSU, graduating with a degree in accounting in 1949.

He received his Certified Public Accounting certification and designation shortly thereafter. He was employed as a C.P.A. by the John T. Wooten firm of DeRidder from 1950-1955. In 1955, he took a position as Business Manager of the Lake Charles American Press. In 1965, he became Associate Publisher and in 1990 became Publisher of the Lake Charles American Press, a position he held until his retirement in 1995. Maynard was also Publisher of the Hobbs News Sun in New Mexico from 1987-1995 and served on the Board of Directors of the Shearman Corporation and as Secretary-Treasurer from 1969 until his death. Maynard had fond memories of working with three generations of the Shearman family, including their patriarch “Mr. Tom” Thomas B. Shearman Sr. and his son Hugh Shearman. Maynard was close to Bill Shearman and enjoyed watching Thomas B. Shearman lll become a very successful Publisher. Maynard also served on the Board of Directors for the Salvation Army and the Credit Bureau of Lake Charles.

Maynard was a loving husband, father and grandfather, fondly referred to as Papa by his six beloved grandchildren. He cherished all the wonderful times he was able to spend with them. He was a huge fan of LSU football. As a college student, Maynard actually lived in a dorm room attached to Tiger Stadium and shared many interesting stories about his time at LSU. He was a voracious reader, who read anything and everything he could get his hands on. Maynard was quick to answer any question, on any subject, and his children jokingly called him “Mr. Know it All”. Maynard was a wonderful mentor and role model to his children.

Most important, Maynard met the love of his life, and later his wife of 61 years, Lorraine, while they were in grade school. Maynard’s children are so grateful for their wonderful parents and the care their mother gave their father in his later years. Maynard is survived by his wife, Lorraine Vaughn Woodhatch; two daughters, Eileen Woodhatch Scofield and husband Scott Scofield of Lake Charles, Louisiana and Debra Woodhatch Bates and Tony Williams of New York, New York; one son, John Woodhatch and his wife Liz of Randolph, NewJersey; and six grandchildren, Lauren Bates of Washington, D.C., Evan Bates of Atlanta, Georgia, Vaughn Scofield of San Marcos, California, Brad Scofield of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Ryan Woodhatch and Allison Woodhatch of Randolph, New Jersey. He is survived by one brother, Larry Woodhatch and wife Paulette of Moss Bluff, and brothers in law, LeRoy Garst and Gene Manley both of DeRidder, Louisiana.

Maynard was preceded in death by two sisters, Emogene Garst and Freda Manley both of DeRidder, and his parents, Maurice (M.L.) Woodhatch and Ellen Woodhatch.

Special thanks to Carrie Woods and the staff of Action Potential, Doctors Gregory J. Rubino and Agbar Khan, The Guardian House and Harbor Hospice, especially Dana F. Sorrels and Dr. Peter W. Karam, and their caring nursing staffs.

Memorial services will be at 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation Tuesday will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a rosary beginning at 6:00 PM. Visitation Wednesday will be from 8:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to “The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy” at foundationforpn.org.