Philip "Phil" Hyatt

Philip (Phil) Edward Hyatt was born at his parent’s home in Lake Charles on June 1, 1932 and died suddenly on March 10, 2022.

His parents were born to pioneer families who settled in southwest Louisiana.  His maternal grandfather, Joseph Chavanne, immigrated from France in the late 19^th century and settled in Lake Charles, LA. where he established and operated a general store downtown.  The Hyatts settled in what is now Beauregard Parish in the late 18^th century.  Phil’s parents were Leon Miles Hyatt, Sr., and Lilian Ruth Chavanne Hyatt.

Phil attended Lake Charles public schools and graduated from Lake Charles High School in 1950. His class was the first to complete all 12 years in that facility before graduating.  Prior classes graduated after completing eleven grades.  He attended Louisiana College in Pineville for two years and later completed his education at McNeese State College in 1957, graduating with a degree in Business Administration.  Before completing his education, he served in the U.S Army’s German Occupational Force in Weiden, Germany as a Communication Specialist from 1953 to 1955.

When Phil returned home from military service, he met the love of his life, Marjorie (Midge) Hinch. They were married on Sept. 3, 1955, at Trinity Baptist Church in Lake Charles.  At the time of his death, they had been married 66 years.  Together they had four children, 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

Phil always had some type of job from very early in life.  As a very little boy he sold Christmas Cards and other items “door-to-door” in and around his neighborhood in south Lake Charles. Then he worked in his father’s business doing odd jobs from emptying trash and sharpening pencils, to working in the warehouse and typing invoices.  In his high school days, he delivered papers for Lake Charles American Press.  After the army he again worked in his father’s business, as a salesperson, office worker and managing partner of The Hyatt Company. He had a unique and lifelong friendship as well as business partnership with his two brothers, Leon, and Dick. Together they ran the United Enterprises company from early adulthood into their late 80’s and 90’s. 

He was a member of South Lake Charles Rotary Club, serving as President in the 1980s. He was also an active member of the Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce and the Better Business Bureau.

He loved being part of his local church. As a member of Trinity Baptist Church and Sale Street Baptist Church in Lake Charles, and East Bayou Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Lafayette, he served in many capacities and on many committees, as a Trustee, Deacon, Bible Study leader, and Choir member.  He served four 3-year terms on the Board of Trustees of the Louisiana Baptist Convention in Alexandria, LA.

After retiring in 1988, Phil and Midge traveled and volunteered 8 summers at Glorieta Baptist Conference Center in the mountains of New Mexico. He and Midge loved their time there, especially grooming the plants in the nursery and enhancing the lovely Prayer Garden. The time spent in God’s creation with many friends old and new was a highlight of their lives.  After their years of traveling in their RV, which they named ALF, they bought a home and settled in Lafayette, LA, in 2003.

Phil was the epitome of a godly husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Everyone knew that he would hurry to their side to offer help. No job was too menial, and no task was too great for him to tackle. He mentored his children, their spouses and grandchildren through service while demonstrating God’s love through words and actions. He has left a huge legacy which we all cherish and strive to emulate.

Phil was preceded in death by: His parents, Leon Miles Hyatt, Sr., and Lilian Ruth Chavanne Hyatt; brother and sister-in-law, Reverend Leon M. Hyatt, Jr., and Ann Miller Hyatt; sister-in-law Larissa (Rissi) Watts Hyatt; and son-in-law Timothy Plumlee.

Phil is survived by: his wife, Marjorie (Midge) Hinch Hyatt; brother, Richard (Dick) Dean Hyatt; children Sheri Hyatt-Plumlee, Andra Winegeart and husband Steve Winegeart, Rebecca (Becky) Williams and husband Richard (John) Williams Jr., Philip David Hyatt, and daughter in love Audrey Boudreaux.  Grandchildren: Shelley Case and husband Byron Case, Amanda Cole and husband Chris Cole, Heidi Plumlee, Deborah Plumlee-Solomon, Jonathan Plumlee, Garin Winegeart and wife Sarah Taylor, Shanna Johnson, and husband Nicholas (Nick) Johnson, Adrienne Hyatt Capps and husband Chris Capps, Trent Philip Hyatt, and wife Samantha Hyatt, Kade Hyatt and wife Tiffany Hyatt, Matthew Williams, and wife Rebecca Williams.  Great-grandchildren: Ryan Morast, Cody Morast, Nathan Solomon, Philip Winegeart, Riley Johnson, Camiyl Ferrer, Isaiah Ferrer, Liam Williams, Theo Williams.  Also many extended family and friends that he loved like family. 

Lafayette Services - Monday March 21 - First Baptist Church Lafayette. Visitation 9:00 -11 AM followed by Memorial Service at 11 AM.
Also available live stream during service time.  https://www.fbclaf.org/ 

Lake Charles Services - Tuesday March 22nd - Trinity Baptist Church Chapel - 12 Noon with visitation / reception following in the Fellowship Hall. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Phil’s honor to 

Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home www.lbch.org online or PO Box 4196 Monroe, La 71211

Annie Armstrong Easter Offering -  www.anniearmstrong.com