Patrick James Unkel

Patrick James Unkel, age 89, died November 30, 2021, at 2:30 p.m. at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital where he spent a large part of his adult life in the service of others.

He was the son of Henry Joseph and Eulalie Tessier Unkel.  He was born and raised with strong Christian values on a working farm outside of Kinder, Louisiana, along with his three siblings, Elizabeth Jane “Betty” Unkel Wilhelmi (deceased), Charles “Buddy” (deceased), and Michael “Mike.”

From valedictorian of his high school class, he attended college, then medical school at Tulane University in New Orleans where he met his wife, Barbara Perez, who was attending Newcomb College.  In 1962, after medical school and a family practice and pediatric residency at Tulane University, Pat settled in Lake Charles with four small children in tow.  Along with Dr. Richard “Dick” Calhoun, his lifelong friend, he founded The Children’s Clinic of Southwest Louisiana.  Seeing the need in his community, Dr. Unkel was further responsible for setting up the first level III, neonatal intensive care unit in the city at Memorial Hospital.  After retiring from the Children’s Clinic, he went to work at Moss Regional to assist those persons of lesser means to receive a high quality of pediatric care. He enjoyed the staff and they shared numerous cook outs and camaraderie. During his lengthy career, he worked tirelessly in his chosen profession often to the determent of his own health and need for rest.

He was dedicated to Catholicism and prayed over many a child and mother. When he was not working, he spent his time cooking with family, fishing or playing tennis at the Racquet Club.  In his later years, Patrick was an Instructor of Pediatrics in the LSU Family Practice residency program from where he finally fully retired in January 2021.  During his entire career, he spent countless hours reading and researching while maintaining a rigorous schedule starting with early hours at the nursery checking each baby and child and often times consoling mothers, while teaching medical residents the practice of pediatric medicine.  Following his retirement, his health quickly declined.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara Kaye Perez; six children, Dr. Steven Unkel (Brittny), Donna Grodner, Dr. Margaret David (Tommy), Susan Winn Vinson, Paul Unkel and Philip Unkel (Hope); numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and his younger brother Mike.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at St. Margaret Catholic Church.  Father Sam Orsot will serve as celebrant.  Burial will follow in Carter Cemetery in Kinder, LA under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Visitation on Friday evening will be from 5:00 PM until 8:30 PM, with a scripture service at 6:00 PM at Johnson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff, located at 2171 Highway 171 North.  Visitation will resume on Saturday morning at St. Margaret Catholic Church at 10:00 AM until the start of the mass at 11:00 AM.

Pat would like for it to be known, that while in practice, it was his GREAT privilege to care for so many people in the great community of Lake Charles.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Dr. Patrick J. Unkel Endowed Scholarship Fund at McNeese State University, P.O. Box 91989, Lake Charles, LA. 70609.

Words of comfort to the family may be expressed at www.johnsonfuneralhome.net.