Gabriel Joseph Barkate

Gabriel Joseph Barkate, 91, was called to His Heavenly home on Friday, February 5, 2016.

Born in Sulphur, Louisiana to Antoine and Victoria Nagmey Barkate, Mr. Barkate was a graduate of Northwestern State University, where he played football, ran track and served as president of the student body. He served our country in the U. S. Army during World War II. Mr. Barkate was an educator for seventeen years. He taught and coached at Vinton High School and was later principal at Dolby Elementary, Gillis High School and Sam Houston High School. He served as Associate Superintendent of Schools for Calcasieu Parish School Board for ten years. Mr. Barkate was a member of the Louisiana Retired Teachers Association and was named Teacher of the Year in 2015. He was also a member of the Rose Club Society of Lake Charles and Travelers Protective Association. He faithfully worshipped at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. One of the joys and delights of Mr. Barkate’s later years was his participation in the water aerobics classes at Our Lady Queen of Heaven where he delighted in the kind and thoughtful friendships of fellow participants.

Mr. Barkate is survived by his children, Victoria Brentin and husband John of Houston, James Barkate and wife Glenda of Metairie, Yolande Goudeau and husband Gray, also of Metairie, Stephanie Spain of Lake Charles, Suzanne Emerson of Metairie, and Steven Barkate of Denton, Texas. He is also survived by grandchildren Delette Spain, David Spain and wife Patricia; Ronnie Redmann and wife Stephanie; Steven Brentin and wife Rebecca, Temple Barkate, Jack Brentin, Schelin Barkate, Ben Brentin, James Goudeau, Chandler Barkate, Gabriel Emerson, Reed Barkate, and Ian Marx; great-grandchildren, Madison and Parker Struhs, Kylie, Tyler and Madison Redmann, and Gabriel and Eliana Brentin; brothers, Ernest Barkate of Sulphur and Joe Barkate of Bakersfield, California; and his sister, Yvonne Barkate of Houston.

Mr. Barkate was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of almost 63 years, Joy Temple Barkate; infant son, Gabriel Joseph Barkate, Jr.; brothers, Jimmie and Johnny Barkate; one sister, Angelle Montz; and his son-in-law, Joe Spain.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 8, 2016, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Father Rommel Tolentino will officiate. Entombment will be at Consolata Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday at the funeral home from 5 until 9 p.m., with a rosary to be recited at 6 p.m., and from 8 until 9:30 a.m. on Monday.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.