Horace Joseph Washington, Jr., 64, of Lake Charles, Louisiana died Sunday, December 23, 2012 at St. Patrick Hospital. He was the son of Ruthie Lee Washington and Horace Joseph Washington, Sr. of Natchez, Mississippi. He was born in Natchez, Mississippi.

Horace was baptized and joined Union Baptist Church at an early age in Natchez, Mississippi. He became a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Natchez, Mississippi until he relocated to Lake Charles, Louisiana. He later attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

He graduated from Sadie V. Thompson High School in 1967 in Natchez, Mississippi. He attended Alcorn State University until being drafted into the Military to serve in the Vietnam War. He was the first African-American District Chief in Lake Charles, Louisiana at Central Station, Enterprise Boulevard. Horace retired as a fireman from the Lake Charles Fire Department after over 32 years of service. Horace enjoyed cooking and having friends and family over. He also enjoyed carpentry work.

Horace is survived by his wife of 32 years Hazel Morrow Washington; six daughters Wanda (Keith) Laurant of Dallas, Texas, Toni Washington of Atlanta, Georgia, Tracy  Washington-Horn of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Terri (Joseph) Washington-Jones of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Halisha Washington of Houston, Texas, and step-daughter Karen (Edward) Reynolds also of Houston, Texas; two sons Kyle and Kalon Washington both of Lake Charles, Louisiana; two sisters Ruthie Lee Washington of Natchez, Mississippi and Julia Washington Berry of Chicago, Illinois; 14 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Horace was preceded in death by his parents Horace Joseph Washington, Sr. and Ruthie Lee Washington, sister Barbara Jean Washington, two brothers Theodore Roosevelt and Eddie Lee Washington.