Wilfred Hanks

Wilfred Hanks, 88, of Lake Charles passed away Saturday, October 05, 2013 in the comfort of his home. Mr. Hanks was born in Lowry, LA, raised in Lake Arthur and has lived most of his life in Lake Charles. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. His work history was quite colorful, beginning with cotton fields and rice mills as a young boy, and later farming and selling shoes (where he met his "lifelong love" "Red", fitting her for shoes). Mr. Hanks began a successful career in sales: cars, insurance and cemetery property until retiring. His most treasured pastime was vegetable gardening and sharing his harvest with others. Mr. Hanks will be remembered as a faithful servant, who through his own faith, prayer, and life, inspired others in their faith. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church and found great tranquility in attending silent retreats. He leaves to honor his memory, five children, Clayton Hanks and wife Felice of Lafayette, Kathleen H. Starkovich and husband Charles of Raton, NM, René Hanks of Tijeras, NM, Randal Hanks and Donald Hanks and wife Lisa, both of Lake Charles; fourteen grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and one brother; Columbus Hanks and wife Wilda of Lake Charles. He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-two years, Juanita LeDoux Hanks; parents, Joseph and Emma Istre Hanks and ten brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Thursday, October 10, 2013 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. Interment will follow in Consolata Cemetery. Visitation Wednesday will be from 10:00 AM until 9:00 PM with a Cursillo rosary beginning at 6:30 PM. Visitation Thursday will be from 8:00 AM until 10:30 AM in the funeral home. The family of Mr. Hanks, wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to Doctors Brian Clements, Richard Gilmore and Asif Nisar and the nurses and staff of Resthaven and Brighton Bridge Hospice for their excellence in care and compassion during this time. Finally, the family would like to thank all the Ministers who helped prepare "Hanks" for the most important journey of his life. Memorial donations may be made to St. Charles Retreat Center, 2151 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy, Lake Charles, LA 70611.