Funeral services for James Latz will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2025 at the First Baptist Church of Bunkie with Rev. Phillip Boone officiating.  Buial will follow in the Pythian Cemetery.  There will be a visitation on Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hixson-Ducote Funeral Home of Bunkie.  Arrangements are under the direction of Hixson-Ducote Funeral Home.

James Allen Latz, 83, of Clearwater, Louisiana, passed away on January 11, 2025. Born in Windber, Pennsylvania, to John N. Latz and Lottie Repine Latz, James lived a life full of love, faith, and service.

James srved honorably in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1964, where he met his beloved wife, Elizabeth Gross Latz. They shared 63 wonderful years of marriage and raised three children together. After his military service, James enjoyed a successful 30-year career with City Business Machines of Shreveport. After retiring from City Business Machines, James went on to work at a call center counseling people with gambling addiction and assisting with suicide prevention.

A man of strong faith, James was an active member of his communities, serving as a deacon at Haynes Avenue Baptist Church and later at First Baptist Church of Bunkie, Louisiana. His faith was not only a personal guide but also a cornerstone of his community involvement.

James was an avid collector of antique glass toys from both World Wars, a hobby that reflected his deep appreciation for history. He loved the Dallas Cowboys and to travel, exploring new places with his family. James was also very enthusiastic about his collection of brightly colored beanies and outlandish socks. Holiday gatherings were not complete until James had arrived, usually with his favorite red beanie perched on his head at a rakish angle.

James was known to enjoy the occasional wager and often did quite well for himself playing the slots. That said his biggest defeat came at the hands of his son, Derek, when James chose the Buffalo Bills to win Super Bowl XXV. Though they shook on a bet of $100, Derek's winnings were "You get to stay in this house."

After his passing, James's family found a collection of handwritten notes that captured James's deep faith and love for Jesus Christ. Amongst those notes was a brief passage that summarized his life and how he lived it.

"Nothing more can be said of a man than he loved his wife, loved & raised his children with the love in his heart which was the love of God."

Simple in word, deep in meaning and incredibly earnest just as James's family and friends would have expected.

He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; brother, John T. Latz; daughter, Kirsten Martin (husband Andrew); sons, Matthew Latz and Derek Latz (wife Kelsey); and cherished grandchildren, Peyton Miley, Benjamin Martin, Grace Martin, Brady Latz, and Dillon Disotel.

James was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, whose warm presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His legacy of love, service, and faith will continue to inspire those who remember him.