WP “Skipper” Hastings, 81, of Lebleu Settlement, died Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.
A 1961 graduate of Sulphur High School, he went on to study at Louisiana Tech in Ruston. He began his professional journey in local industries, dedicating two decades to the field while simultaneously serving as a sheriff’s deputy.
His passion for public service extended into the criminal justice system. As a Paralegal/Investigator under District Attorneys Frank T. Salter, Jr. and Leonard Knapp, Jr., he played a key role in founding the state District Attorney’s Association Investigator’s Section. His career evolved into serving as a court attorney investigator and later as the first Judicial Court Administrator for the 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish, a position he held for 25 years before retiring.
He also owned and operated commercial shrimping boats.
Survivors are his wife, Gary Hastings; two sons, Trent Hastings (wife Farrah) of DeQuincy, and Layne Hastings (Roxanne Cloud) of Mississippi and six grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of life service was held at Johnson Funeral Home on Thursday Nov. 21. The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Friday Nov. 22.
