Hilry James Lantz

"Hilry passed away on April 24, 2017 at The Carpenter House, St. Joseph Hospice in Baton Rouge. He was born in Iota, LA on May 9, 1934 to Emily Cortez Lantz and Martin Lantz. His early years were spent in Iota until he left home to attend Southwestern Institute, now known as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He received his degree in Chemical Engineering and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force May 1956. He worked for Dow Chemical Co. in Freeport, Texas in the Organic Pilot Plant until entering the Air Force Arpril 1957. He attended Navigator Training at Harlingen Air Force Base, graduating in May 1958 and receiving his wings as a navigator. He then attended Radar Interceptor Training at James Connaly Air Force Base, Waco, TX. He served as a Radar Intercept Navigator with the 321st Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Paine Field, Everett, WA flying in F-89 Jet Interceptors. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant In May 1958. He left the active Air Force in April 1960 but remained in the reserves and was promoted to Captain before being honorably discharged in Sept. 1970. In 1960 he went back to work for Dow Chemical Co., this time in Plaquemine, LA. In 1974 he left Dow to work briefly with Rollins Environmental Services and later Georgia Gulf in Plaquemine. After early retirement from Georgia Gulf he went to work for the Dept. of Environmental Quality. He remained with DEQ as an Environmental Engineer in Air Permits until March 2006. In his retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, grown children and grandchildren. He was a proud grandfather and regular spectator at their soccer games and school funcions. Hilry was a true gentlemen and all around good-guy handyman in his Sherwood Forest neighborhood for 53 years. He was a faithful volunteer at Southeast Ministries Food Pantry. He spent many hours doing geneology research and took several Life Writing Courses. Hilry was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Carolyn Tillery Lantz; daughter Suzanne Lantz and son-in-law Matthew Tobin; son and daughter-in-law Barry James and Melissa Brewer Lantz and two grandsons, Reece Jackson Lantz and Austin James Lantz; a brother and sister-in-law Donald and Marjorie Lantz of Morgan City, and sister-in-law Dorothy Regan Lantz of Carlyss. He was preceeded in death by his parents Martin and Emily Lantz, brother Rodney Lantz, and sister Rena Lantz Faulk. Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East from 6:00-8:00 pm Thursday April 27, and 12:00 -2:00 pm Friday April 28 followed immediately by the funeral service. Interment will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or the charity of your choice.