Clyde S. Catha

A Christian, devoted husband, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, he passed away at age 83 on Monday, May 26, 2008, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center after an 18- year battle with cancer. He was a retired East Baton Rouge Parish schoolteacher, coach and principal and a lifelong resident of Baton Rouge. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Tuesday, May 27, was from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visitation resumes at the funeral home on Wednesday from 8 a.m. until funeral service at 10 a.m., conducted by the Rev. Jim Nichols and the Rev. Gerald Martin. Burial in Resthaven Gardens of Memory. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Juanita Reynolds Catha; sons, Keith Catha and wife Brenda, and David Catha and wife Maria; daughters, Marla Catha Bethea and husband Jim, and Sherry Catha Cavin and husband Al; grandchildren, Jonathan Cavin and wife Nichole, Benjamin Cavin and fiancée Kim Tourere, Kristen Catha and fiancé Danny Pursiful, Matthew Catha, and Cindy Cavin Kirby and husband Brett; great-grandchildren, Coy Daigle III and Crista Daigle. Preceded in death by his parents, Jahue and Grace Lambert Catha; and sisters, Ruth Catha Schutzman and husband Alton, and Sybil Catha Watson and husband Herman. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1946 and in the inactive reserve until 1955. He played basketball at Tulane University while enrolled in the V-12 program. He was an ensign assigned to the newly commissioned USS Boxer and was sent to Japan in 1945. Upon leaving active duty, he returned to college at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, where he played basketball, was named all-conference and a Blue Key member. He graduated in December 1950. He received his master's degree in education from LSU in 1954. Pallbearers will be Keith, David and Matthew Catha, Al and Ben Cavin and Jim Bethea. Honorary pallbearers are Jon Cavin, Gary Lipham, Wade Hanks, Eddie Olinde, Jack Holmes and Dr. Frederick T. Billings. Special thanks to Dr. Frederick T. Billings, Dr. J. Benton Dupont and the nurses and staff of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center fifth floor west for 18 extra years of life. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, 550 Lobdell Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806.