Henry Bógh Rathcke

A resident of Deerford and a native of Baton Rouge, he died Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006. He was 75 years young. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., was on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with recitation of the rosary at 7 p.m. Visiting at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 4727 McHugh Drive, Zachary, is on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Tom Duhe, celebrant, assisted by family member Deacon Albert Ellis. A private rite of committal will be held at a later date. He is survived by his wife, Joyce McCoy Rathcke of Deerford; two daughters, Sandy Heck of Pasadena, Texas, and Denise Gramm of Deer Park, Texas; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Henry Bógh Rathcke III and wife Debbie of Austin, Texas, and Erik Bógh Rathcke and wife Jennifer of Deerford; Ray Yates Jr., who was like a son, of Friendswood, Texas; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Anna R. Thrower of Baton Rouge and Juanita and Fred Sutherland of Shreveport; seven grandchildren, Jeffrey Ewing, Benjamin Heck, Amy Gramm Armstrong, Henry B. "Bógh" Rathcke IV, Rae Lynn Rathcke, Dylan B. Rathcke and Morgan Grace Rathcke; and Amanda Yates, who was like a granddaughter. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, as well as other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Bógh Rathcke and Amy Hernandez Rathcke; brother, James Adam Rathcke; and in-laws, Charles and Gertrude McCoy. He served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Air Wing Division and enjoyed working with the Men's Club at St. Johnthe Baptist Catholic Church, the Chaneyville Fire Department, where he served on the board of directors, and numerous church and community projects. He was the former co-owner of Spiral Metals Corporation and Westside Galvanizing. He was one of the founding members and served on the board of directors for the Associated Building Contractors of Baton Rouge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association or St. Johnthe Baptist Catholic Church Building Fund, 4727 McHugh Drive, Zachary, 70791. Rest peacefully, beloved story teller.