Dean R. Veatch

Dean R. Veatch was born February 6, 1930 to Thomas B. Veatch and Elva Nails Veatch in Red River Parish, Louisiana, where he grew up in the Hickory Grove community. He passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at his home in Shreveport, Louisiana. A Graveside Service honoring the life of Dean R. Veatch will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 27, 2021 in Forest Park Cemetery, 3700 St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Dan W. Lay, Jr., associate pastor at Trinity Heights Baptist Church. A visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, Louisiana. Dean attended Coushatta High School, where he participated in competitive sports and was selected as an all-state basketball player for two consecutive years. Upon graduation from high school, he entered Centenary College of Louisiana and continued in athletics, breaking two scoring records at the Enid, Oklahoma Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament in 1950. He was mentioned as a candidate for All-American Honors, received Centenary's "Most Valuable Player" Award in both basketball and baseball in 1951, and was honored by selection to the All-Gulf States Conference basketball team the same year. Following graduation from Centenary College, Dean enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, serving as an Air Support Control Officer until the end of the Korean War. He then served as Executive Officer of the local Marine Corps Reserve Infantry Company. He was a rehabilitation therapist with the Veteran's Administration during the late 1950's and later served as an adjudicator of veteran's benefits. Dean was admitted to the Louisiana State Bar in 1959 and practiced law as a partner in the firm of Wilson and Veatch until his retirement in 1985. He enjoyed his retirement years immensely, spending quality time with his family, traveling, golfing, fishing, and camping with family and friends. During his lifetime, he was a member of Trinity Heights Baptist Church, the Louisiana State Bar Association, the Shreveport Bar Association, Louisiana Lawyers Association, Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association, Lions Club, the American Legion, and the Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his devoted wife of 67 years, Bobbie Watson Veatch; one son, Michael Dean Veatch and wife, Jody; four grandchildren, Dr. Ashley Sommerhalder and husband, David; Nathan Veatch, Victoria Veatch, and Meliesa Veatch; brother, Tommy Duane Veatch and wife, Helen; and numerous nieces and nephews. Honoring Dean as pallbearers will be Larry Hairgrove, Wayne Hairgrove, Jacky Mayfield, Walter Schubert, Donnie Veatch, Nathan Veatch and Stanley Watson. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Dean Griffen, Dr. Bob Massingill, Cheryl, Diantha, and all of the dedicated caregivers at Christus Cancer Center for their excellent and compassionate services. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Don't cry for me. I lived a good life and I have fought the good fight. When the end came, God wrapped his arms around me and whispered, "Come home with me."