Robert G. Hazel

Robert Grady Hazel passed away peacefully on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2013 at the age of 90, a sweet man on a sweet day. He was born on April 26, 1922, in Jennings, LA, the son of James Cecil Hazel and Thelma Iglehart Hazel. He was a true gentleman who loved the Lord and his family. He touched countless lives, and all who knew him felt his gentle ways and his kind heart and sweet smile. He is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Betty Louise Campbell Hazel, his son Grady Robert Hazel and daughter-in-law Cindy Hile Hazel of Baton Rouge, and his son James Alfred Hazel and daughter-in-law Marileen (Katya) Cole Hazel of Fort Worth, Texas. He is also survived by his four granddaughters and their spouses: Kelly Hazel King and husband Lynn King, and Ashley Hazel Istre and husband Chad Istre, all of Baton Rouge. Also Anna Hazel Crotty and husband Shane Crotty, and Lisa Hazel Schattman and wife Martha Marguerite Schattman , all of San Diego, California. He leaves six great-grandchildren: Parker James and Olivia Ashley King, and Camille Leigh and Jack Grady Istre, all of Baton Rouge. Also Eleanor Grace and James Patrick Crotty of San Diego, California. He is also survived by his sister, Barbara Hazel Deal of Dumfries, Virginia and her two children, Bill and Libby. Also two sisters-in-law, Marguerite Campbell Carter and Ava Jo Hazel McBride and their children. The family especially wants to thank Bridget Dunn, his loving caregiver for the last two years. He leaves many nieces and nephews and a host of dear friends. All considered him mentor and friend. He graduated from LSU Baton Rouge with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He was a member of R.O.T.C. and was commissioned as an officer into the United States Army in 1942. He married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Louise Hazel, the same year on December 20. He served in Europe for the duration of World War II as an artillery spotter in Germany and France.

He worked for years at Gulf Oil in Port Arthur, Texas, then at Kelite Corporation in Lake Charles and Beaumont. In 1958, he accepted a position with John Crane Packing Company and moved the family to Baton Rouge. In 1984, he retired from Crane after 25 years and began a long career as a Financial Advisor with A.G.Edwards, later Wachovia and then Wells Fargo Advisors. He was Co-Manager of the Baton Rouge office. He retired in 2009 after 25 years. He and his family joined Broadmoor Baptist Church in 1958. He served in many leadership positions over the years, including serving as Chairman of the Trustees and as a Deacon. His faith in Christ sustained him throughout his long life, and his Broadmoor Baptist Church family gave him great joy. He loved the game of golf, and was quite accomplished, winning many amateur tournaments in his life and was a scratch golfer at one time. He was a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite. He was a longtime member of the Rotary Club International. He officiated at many high school and college football games. The highlight of his officiating career was serving as Referee for the 1979 Tangerine Bowl between LSU and Wake Forest. He was the Head of Officials for the Gulf States Football Conference. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Cecil Hazel and Thelma Iglehart Hazel of Jennings, LA, and his brother James Cecil (Jack) Hazel.

Memorial Service will be held in Baton Rouge at Broadmoor Baptist Church on Goodwood Boulevard on Monday, February 18 at 11 a.m. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 17 from 6-8 p.m. at Greenoaks Funeral Home on Florida Boulevard. Interment will be in Jennings, LA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be sent to Broadmoor Baptist Church on Goodwood Boulevard or Family of Faith, 10748 Perkins Road.