Horace R Wingate

Mr. Wingate was born on February 10, 1921 in Cravens, LA to Russell and Minnie Johnson Wingate. He was a lifelong resident of Beauregard Parish. Mr. Wingate was a member of the First Baptist Church in DeRidder, where he previously taught the men’s Sunday school class. Mr. Wingate is a graduate of Pitkin High School and I.C.S. in electrical engineering. He retired as manager of Beauregard Electric Cooperative, after being with the cooperative for thirty eight years. He started as a lineman in 1946, promoted to general superintendent, promoted to assistant manager, 1956, and general manager, 1966-1984. He was past president of the Greater DeRidder Area Chamber of Commerce; past chairman of Military Affairs Committee. His memberships included, DeRidder Lion’s Club, past president and member of DeRidder Kiwanis Club, past president of Leonidas Polk Chapter of AUSA, Southwest Louisiana Shrine Association Building Committee and member of Louisiana Forestry association. Also board of directors, City Savings Bank and Trust Co., Beauregard Country Club Board of Directors, West DeRidder Waterworks District No. 1-president and board of directors, DeRidder Industrial Development Commission, vice president; past member of Community Relations council, past member of Mayor’s council on Youth Opportunity, past member and chairman of Beauregard Parish Planning Commission, served on Board of directors of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, 1981-1984, served on Board of Directors of Cajun Electric Power Cooperative Inc., 1969-1984, served on Board of Directors of Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives; secretary-treasurer, 1970-1971; president, 1971-1972; past member of Beauregard Historical Society, member of Hines Chapter No. 54 of Royal Arch Masons, member of DeRidder Lodge Chapter No. 271, member of National Clock Collector’s association, past president and Board of Directors of Cooper Cemetery Association, Jaycee 1977 Boss of the Year Award, past Scoutmaster, Troop 39, Thunderbird District Boy Scouts of America. He was named DeRidder Citizen of the Year in 1972 and served as co-chairman.

Mr. Wingate is preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Minnie Wingate; first wife, Bobbie Johnson Wingate; son, Olan D. Wingate; three brothers, Vernie, Woodrow and Billy Wingate; two sisters, Hazel Jeane and Mickie Wingate.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary Hall Wingate; one son, H. Lynn Wingate; two brothers, Obie and Glen Wingate; one sister, Fara Newman; four grandchildren, Shawn and wife, Samantha, Shannon and wife, Carmen, Russell, Stacy; five great- grandchildren, Olan, Dillen, Chase, , Baylee, Whitney and two great- great- grandchildren.