Philip William Latimer passed from his earthly life to be with his Friend and Savior on February 13, 2009. He was a life-long Christian and loved his church and his Lord. He has fought a good fight and run a good race and has now gone home to be with his loving Father. He lived his faith in life, word and deed.
Philip was born on November 4, 1916, in Red River County, close to Detroit, Texas. He was the fifth child of Henry David and Frances Bateman Latimer. Mr. Latimer attended Detroit School and graduated from Paris Junior College in 1933 with honors. He was a member of the CCC during the depression to support his family. He was awarded a scholarship from Baylor University and graduated in 1939 with a Bachelors degree. While at Baylor, he met the love of his life. He and Louise Stringer were married in a simple ceremony on December 22, 1940, in Lumberton, Texas. Mr. Latimer started his career in teaching at Streetman High School, near Corsicana. He enjoyed teaching math and athletics, including the girls basketball and 6 man football teams. In June 1941, Philip won the Lottery, that is the Compulsory Draft Lottery, and went into the Army as an enlisted man. He entered Officer Candidate School where he earned the title 90 Day Wonder as a tribute to his quick completion. For his first assignment, he volunteered to work with the newly formed 761st Tank battalion. His selfless act, to help lead the first battalion of enlisted black men in combat, paved the way for the removal of racial barriers in the military. During this time period, both of his daughters were born, Carole in July, 1942, and Martha in March, 1944. In the Fall of 1944, the 761st finished their training and went to Europe. They saw an unprecedented 183 days of combat, serving directly with General Patton. They fought in the Battle of the Bulge and liberated one of the last Jewish concentration camps. After the surrender of Germany, he returned to Texas and taught Mathematics at Lamar University. During his tenure, he served as Regents Professor and Department Head. Always a teacher and lover of history, Mr. Latimer spent his retirement consulting on books and giving speeches about his time in military service.
Philip Latimer is survived by his wife Louise, daughter, Carole Frances Hanna and husband Danny, of Hallsville, TX, and daughter, Martha Rene Blain, and husband, Rob, of Houston, Texas. Also a member of their family is Billie Bruinsma Hunt, who became a member of the Latimer family after their other daughters had left home. They have 3 grandchildren, Philip Christian Blain, Gina Blain Ortiz and William David Hanna and five great grandchildren, Jessica Ortiz Itzep, Anthony Ortiz, David Ortiz, Sarah Blain and Noah Blain. Services are pending at Calder Baptist Church, Beaumont, Texas and arranged by Farmers Funeral Home, Silsbee, Texas. The family also plans to have a memorial service in Hallsville at a later date. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers to be made to Calder Baptist Church, Beaumont, Texas or First Baptist Church, Hallsville, Texas.
