Hector Panlaqui Luat

Hector was born on November 19, 1943 to Rev. Jose Luat and Guadalupe Panlaqui, in Pampanga, Philippines. Growing up in a time where a pastor's salary consisted of a bag of rice, he was able to go to school and eventually, in 1965, graduate at the University of the East with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.

In 1972, he married the love of his life, Lourdes Gaviola, and just a few months later, immigrated to the US to begin building the American dream life for his wife and soon-to-be newborn daughter Charisma. They joined him the following year in Chicago, when Charisma was just six months old. He began to work for the City of Chicago, Department of Finance where he would ultimately become the Director of Accounting. Once roots were being established, the family began to grow with the addition of Ryan and one year later, Joseph.

Hector had a love for learning and that continued in the US. He spent many late nights studying to become an official Certified Public Accountant, passing the exam in 1980. He also obtained his realtor license, working part time as a realtor. Most importantly to him, he loved to learn more about the Lord and studying the Bible, taking classes at Moody Bible Institute.

He wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Pastor, but God had other plans for him. Hector served several Filipino churches in the Chicagoland area, mainly in the role of Treasurer or Auditor. He became the first Moderator of the newly formed Mont Clare UCC, which was a merger of two churches, the United Community Church and Mont Clare Congregational Church. The merger became official on his birthday weekend of November 2001. In 2005, he and Lourdes retired and moved to Las Vegas, and joined the Las Vegas UCC, where his brother Ernesto, was the founding Pastor.

Hector had many hobbies and interests. He was part of the Illinois Masons, Philippine Concert Choir of Chicago and Circulo Capampangan. He was an avid bowler, chess player, and read the newspaper every day, from anywhere in the country. He kept his mind sharp by doing daily crossword puzzles and loved watching all sports, especially basketball. He had a love for all things craps and table games. He often called himself the "Ukulele Champion of the Philippines," but really was an excellent, self-taught guitar player and tenor. He had a joke for whomever wanted to listen and told stories for days, always wanting to make people laugh with his infectious smile. He was generous to a fault, giving everything and anything he could to help people and the church he deeply loved.

Hector is survived by his wife Lourdes, daughter Charisma (Neil), sons Ryan (Lindsey) and Joseph, and his one and only grandchild, Joshua; sisters Lira (Bienvenido) and Vida (Arnel); brothers-in-law Rodante and Edwin (Alma); sister-in-law Farida (Ernesto) and Belen (Jose Jr); numerous nephews, nieces, and grandnephews and grand-nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. Jose and Guadalupe, and stepmother Profetisa; Father-in-Law Jose Gaviola and Mother-in-Law Aurora Garcia; Brothers Jose Jr, Ernesto and Homer (his twin brother), and brother-in-law Bienvenido. He will be loved and missed by all.