Willis Eugene "Gene" Lachat

Willis Eugene “Gene” LaChat, age 87, of Grants Pass, died Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, August 29, 2014 at Parkway Christian Center with Rev. David Shimeall officiating. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Gene was born November 3, 1926 in Massillon, Ohio to Willis and Bernice LaChat. At a young age he moved with his mother to Pomona, California. While attending Pomona High School he lettered in baseball and football. While in High School Gene tried out for the Oakland Oaks, a minor league team in the Pacific Coast League. Gene decided to enlist in the United States Navy and served during the Korean War, and was awarded the Good Conduct and the National Defense Service Medals.

On September 11, 1971 in Diamond Bar, California he married Suzanne where they both worked for the Post Office. In 1973 he and Suzanne packed their family up and moved to Grants Pass. Gene again went to work for the US Postal Service where he retired as a supervisor after 28 years in 1984.

After retirement from the post office he became a trainer at Grants Pass High School. He trained at the high school for 15 years until 1999. Over the years he coached many baseball and softball teams. He coached little league, all levels of Babe Ruth baseball and American Legion ball. He got great enjoyment from coaching Grants Pass women’s softball teams including Mock Ford, The Slammers, The Cab Company, and The Animals

He is a member of the Fleet Reserve Association and River Valley Community Church (formerly First Baptist Church) and was involved with Marriage Encounter for 24 year’s. He is a past member of B.P.O.Elks #1584 and served as a Campus Life board member for several years.

Gene loved trips to Bandon, fishing, shuttling for Whitewater Cowboys, playing racquetball, playing cards, and spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Suzanne LaChat of Grants Pass; two daughters, Dawn Schultz and her husband Jim of Redondo Beach, California, and Jackie Morden of Grants Pass; two sons, Bob LaChat and his wife Lois of Orange, California, and Eric Bell and his wife Anne of Portsmouth, Virginia; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Grants Pass High School Athletic Department, 830 NE 9th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 or Joe’s Place, PO Box 1226, Grants Pass, Oregon 97528.