Ralph "Yankee" Gatch, 82, of Vidor, died Wednesday, May 11, 2005 at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, and resident of Beaumont for sixty years, Yankee was an instrument technician with Mobil having retired after forty-two years of service. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Yankee was an avid bowler, enjoyed watching golf on television and loved to tinker with things to make them work. Survivors include his sons, Kendel Gatch and his wife Sharron of Lumberton and Richard Bourgeois and his wife Jessica of Beaumont; daughters, Aline Cohrt and her husband Don of Nederland and Judy Bourgeois of Vidor; brother, Wallace Gatch and his wife Aileen of Orlando, Florida; and four grandchildren. Funeral service will be 2:00 P. M. Saturday, May 14, 2005 at Broussard's Chapel, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 12:00 P. M. Saturday until time of service at the mortuary.
