Junius Andrew Wingate, 84, died Saturday, February 26, 2005, at Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital in Orange, Texas. Junius was born on July 6, 1920, in Orange, Texas to Claude Louis and Lumea (Bonin) Wingate. He was educated at St. Maryis Elementary School in Orange and graduated from the St. Francis De La Salle Christian Brothers High School in Lafayette, Louisiana. After joining the Order of Teaching Christian Brothers and taking the new name of Brother Amedy Lucian Wingate, he pursued his college education at several Christian Brothers Colleges, the University of Houston, and the University of Florida earning his PhD in Theology. During his teaching career, Brother Lucian taught at Christian Brothers high schools in Louisiana including schools in Franklin, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Covington, and New Orleans. His teaching experience also included an assignment at St. Michaelsi College in Santa Fe, New Mexico and one summer as adjutant general of the then famous Christian Brothers Boyis Camp at Pecos, New Mexico. In 1973, while on assignment at the Learning and Rehabilitation Center at Santa Fe, New Mexico, he became engrossed with the problems of slow learners and students with learning disabilities. Pursuing a post-graduate degree at the University of Houston, Brother Lucian studied the relationship of sight, hearing, and dental problems with learning disabilities. This led to the publication of his first textbook in this field, Learn-To-Read Fast--Beginners Book, which was used extensively in the southwest region of the United States for both slow learners and handicapped children. The success of this program led to the publication of two follow-up texts, iA Reading Medleyi and iVocabulary Studyi. As a result of this success, the program was integrated into the New Orleans school system as a speed reading course leading to the publication of his next textbook, New Orleans Learn-To-Read Program. After the Christian Brothers were disbanded as a teaching order, Brother Lucian retired to Orange. Because of his vow of poverty taken many years before, he chose to continue living a very simple life allowing himself only a few modern luxuries. His remaining days were spent daily at church praying for others and working the extensive garden which he maintained at his home. Next to his love of God, working with his hands outdoors was the joy of his life. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lance and Cecil Wingate; and sister, Julia Wingate Bacom. Those left to cherish his memory are brothers, Nicholas Wingate and Roy Wingate; sisters, Barbara Wingate Marshall and Mabel Wingate Lawrence; and half-sister, Edith Pratt, all of Orange, as well as three generations of numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Orange, with the recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2005, at St. Maryis Catholic Church in Orange, Texas. Serving as Pallbearers will be Nicholas Wingate, Jr., Hugh Bacom, Phillip Wingate, Quentin Wingate, C.B. Lawrence, Stephen Lawrence, Ben Wernig, and Corey Calvert. Honorary Pallbearers will be Brother C. Daniel, Brother Martin Fenerty, Charles Wingate, Walter Chamel, and all the members of St. Maryis Perpetual Adoration Society. Brother Lucian will be missed for his concern for others, his love of education, and his special grin when presenting his gifts of fresh fruits and vegetables. He was a true follower of Christ. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Maryis Catholic Church-Perpetual Adoration Society in Orange in his name.
504 N. 4th St.
Orange, TX 77630
(409)886-4445
claybarfuneralhome.com
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