Alan Kratzer

Alan was born on June 7th, 1940, to the late Helen Bertrand and Henry Kratzer. He was a native of Roanoke and a resident of Lake Charles.

As a youth he cared for his grandmother and became fluent in French which he would speak whenever he had the opportunity.

A graduate of USL in Business, he began his career as a buyer for Muller’s Department Store and The Fair Stores. Alan owned and operated The Bud ‘n Blossom Shop, Wholesale Florist Co LLC, and the Cottage Restaurant and owned the Minor Mart Children’s Shop.

He is best known for the 22 years he served as the Executive Director of the Lake Charles Regional Airport. He was honored in 1990 by the Airport Authority for implementing the name change from Lake Charles Municipal Airport to its present name. SWLA region would now be recognized as the hub for aviation and air travel.

His most notable contributions to the air service community occurred in 2005 after Hurricane Rita destroyed the passenger terminal and hangars at the airport. He led the entire airport community in working to resume air service in 10 days with a temporary passenger terminal in the fire station. Enough of the runways were cleared for military helicopter operations to be resumed on September 26 and general aviation and military relief flights resumed on September 27. Because of his tenacity in his refusal to take no for an answer regarding FAA funding, the new $28 million passenger terminal building became a reality and a true showplace for SWLA. He was responsible for the creative and beautiful landscaping at the entrance to and on the grounds of the new terminal.

Alan served as the President of the SWLA Florist Association, was Secretary, Vice President and President of the Louisiana Airport Managers Association (LAMA), was a charter member of South Lake Charles Kiwanis Club, and a member of the SWLA Transportation Committee and the Krewe of Contraband.

One of Alan’s greatest joys was to be with family. For many years he had summer places on Big Lake and at Johnson Bayou where he would entertain and cook for family and friends. He was the first to gather family together for holidays, but he pulled out all the stops for Christmas preparing with elaborate decorations and delicious meals. Alan never forgot birthdays and they were a time for celebration and generosity.

Alan had a love of genealogy he became the historian for the Kratzers and the Bertrands. He planned get togethers for his “cousins”. He had a photographic memory and a vast knowledge of local history, people and events. His favorite pastimes were baseball, cooking, gardening, and spending time at the beach.

Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Susan Kratzer Blue (Greg) and Anne Marie Kratzer of Lake Charles; brothers Ronald M. Kratzer of Rabun Gap, GA and Gary D. Kratzer (Sheila) of Sulphur; grandchildren Lydia and Sarah Blue and great grandson Elijah Blue; and mother of his children Carol St. Dizier; three nephews and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by this parents Helen and Henry Kratzer and grandparents Lorena and Martin Kratzer and Melonie and Ophelian Bertrand.

Visitation for Mr. Kratzer will be at Hixson Funeral Home of Lake Charles on Monday, June 21, from 5:00PM to 8:00PM and will reopen on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 11:00AM until the time of the services. A Liturgy of the Word will be held at 1:00 PM in the funeral home and burial will be immediately following in the Liberty Cemetery in Elton, LA. Pallbearers will be Greg Blue, Pritam Blue, Ford Garon, Albert Landry, and Gary Kratzer. Honorary pallbearers will be George Kratzer, Dr. John F. Moffett, and Donnie Richard.

Our father received the ultimate in professional and loving care during his last months from Tammy Sanders and Josephine Ceasar. We wish to thank them from the heart.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Kratzer family may be shared at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com