January 16, 1929 – February 05, 2021
Services to honor the life of Hyland Dubart Packard were held on Feb. 10. A committal service will be held Friday, Sept. 24 at 2 pm at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, LA.
Hyland passed away at Community Care Center Nursing Home on Friday evening, February 5, 2021, at the age of 92.
A native of Melville, LA, Hyland graduated from Melville High School and entered Northwestern State University in 1946. He was an officer in the U. S. Navy, serving his country on the USS Achernar (AKA-53) and the USS Goodrich (DD-831) during the Korean Conflict. He also served as chaplain on both ships during this time. After service in the Navy, he returned to NSU to finish his education degree. He married Sophie in 1955.
In 1967 the family moved back to Natchitoches where they attended First Baptist Church for many years. He served as deacon, Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and Associational Leader.
After retirement from his teaching career in 1986, including teaching science at Natchitoches Central High School for 20 years, Hyland attended New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and was ordained as minister at Anthony Baptist Church, where he was pastor for 10 ½ years.
Community service was a lifestyle for Hyland. He enjoyed volunteering with Lov’N Care Mission, providing supplemental and emergency food and clothing for those in need. Hyland also volunteered with the Lion’s Club, and served as chaplain and chairman of the Honesty and Integrity Committee for the Masonic Lodge No. 13, and Order of the Eastern Star. He was a dedicated volunteer who directly touched the lives of many in Natchitoches and indirectly impacted many more.
He is survived by the love of his life, Sophie Ursula Snell Packard, and children, Michelle Chopin and husband Ed Chopin of Greenwood, LA, and Mike Packard and wife Kristen Keller Packard of Fort Mill, SC, seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Fred Packard and sister, Barbara Packard, both of Lafayette, LA.
His legacy will live on with his investment in the thousands of students he taught over the years, churches he pastored, and many other ministries in which he participated. His children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren called him Paw-Paw, and got to see him model a Christ-centered life.
In Lieu of flowers please make donations to The Lion’s Club under the camp or scholarship funds.
