Preston Rachal

PRESTON HENRY RACHAL

Born 3-18-36 Died 9-30-19

Preston was the youngest of 10 children born in Natchitoches, LA to John Blanchard Rachal and Laura LaCaze. His parents only spoke French, so Preston’s first language was French but soon learned English when he started to school. His father died when he was 6 and his mother died when he was 12. He went to school in Many, La where he played & starred in football & basketball. After High School, he moved to Beaumont to attend college. He met the love of his life, Emma while living there. They married in 1958 and he soon started his banking career with American National Bank. He worked several banks in S.E. Texas. He was President 1st Texas bank in Vidor, TX for 5 yrs. He moved back to Security Bank in Anahuac and worked a total of 20 yrs, and served as President until he retired in 2005. He taught AIB courses at Lamar University for several yrs. He was past president of Vidor Rotary Club, past president of Optimist Club and won the Paul Harris Fellow award. Also, he was past president of Vidor Chamber of Commerce.

He & Emma retired for the next 10 yrs to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas where he was in HOG HEAVEN playing golf every day on one of the 9 golf courses inside the Village and fishing with Jim Raney. They met many friends from around the U.S, who lived there and are their dearest friends still. Preston was an avid fisherman & golfer, and “42 Player”. One of the joys of his life was teaching grandchildren, Elizabeth, Preston, CJ & Cameron how to fish and play golf.

Preston was an ordained deacon in the Baptist Church and was an active member at Pine Forest Baptist Church in Vidor. He was ordained in 2007 and served as Chairman of Deacon at Balboa Baptist Church in Hot Springs Village, AR and after 10 yrs moved to Huntsville, Tx and served as Chairman of Deacons at 1st Baptist Church in Huntsville. He was an active deacon and member of Pine Forest Baptist Church in Vidor.

Honorary pallbearers: Troy Ferguson, Rev. Jim Raney, Bob Scott, Dryden Smith, Bill Tutt, Gary Biehsclich.

He is survived by his wife, Emma, of 61 yrs, his son. Greg and wife Cheryl of Lancaster, Ca. and his daughter Lydia Townes & husband Ted of Bridge City, Tx; one granddaughter Elizabeth
Of Lancaster, Ca.; 3 grandsons, Preston Wm. Of Lancaster, Ca; CJ Welch of the U.S. Navy in Seattle, Wa.; and Cameron Welch of Bridge City, Tx. And 3 great-grandchildren. He also has one remaining brother, Jos. Herman Rachal of Vidor.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Pine Forest Baptist Church or Alzheimer's Association.