Rev. Herbert L. Polinard

Herbert Lawrence Polinard, 95, of Gatesville, Texas, died Friday, January 19, 2018 in Waco, Texas. Funeral services will be at 11:00 am, Thursday, February 1, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church, 302 North McLeod St., Cuero, Texas; with the Rev. Bill Cotman and the Rev. Steve Digby officiating. Herbert was born September 21, 1922, to John Latour and Elma Watkins Polinard, of Arcadia, Texas. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1939. He went on to receive a BA in Biology and Chemistry from Sam Houston State Teachers College. Subsequently, he also earned a Bachelor of Divinity from Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. Herbert served as a Technical Sergeant in charge of the clinical lab with the Army, 132nd Evacuation Hospital during World War II in France and Germany. Herbert also attended the University of Texas where he met his bride and partner of 68 years, Mary Elizabeth Cheatham. They courted over fungi, church dinners, and music at the local record store. His deep love for her continued after her death January 20, 2016. Herbert served as an ordained minister of the Disciples of Christ (the Christian Church) in Texas and Louisiana for 73 years. As the president of the National Council of Churches in New Orleans, he was instrumental in the integration, ecumenical understanding, and cooperation between churches in the 1960’s. He also served as a chaplain for NOPD. One of his greatest honors during that period was to be asked by then Bishop Hannan to deliver the Sunday morning sermon at the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. His longest pastorate was at Central Christian Church in Galveston, Texas, from which he retired in 1990, after which he served as an interim minister for various churches in the Central Texas area. While in Galveston, he was the recipient of the Henry Cohen Humanitarian Award, which he considered to be of the highest honor. Herbert was also active in FreeMasonry for 70 years. He was a charter member of the Anson Jones Lodge #1313. He served a term as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Texas and was also a charter member of the Texas Grand Lodge of Research. In addition, he was a 32nd degree KCCH Scottish Rite Mason, a Grand Prelate of the Knights Templar, and Sovereign of the Red Cross of Constantine. Herbert is survived by his children; Herbert Lawrence, Jr. and his wife Irene, of San Antonio, Thomas Cheatham, of New Orleans, LA, Catherine Ellen Rawdon and her husband Tommy, Mary Elizabeth Polinard-Tipton and her husband Reagan of Gatesville, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins in the U.S. and Belgium. Interment will be at the Hillside Cemetery, Cuero, Texas where military honors will be rendered as well as Masonic rites. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in memory of Rev. Herbert L. Polinard to First Presbyterian Church, Cuero, 302 N. McLeod, Cuero, Texas 77954 or to Brite Divinity School, 2925 Princeton Street, Fort Worth, TX 76129 (https://epay.tcu.edu/brite_gift).