Former prep coach, pro baseball player Bobby Catton passes away

Former professional baseball player, two-sport high school star and high school coach Bobby Catton passed away on May 20 at the age of 82 in LaPlace.

A New Orleans native, Catton spent several years coaching football and track and field at Abramson before moving to Grace King in the 1980’s and 1990’s before retiring. In 1997, Catton was a coach with the Fighting Irish when they won the Osceola Bowl at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in the Orlando, Florida area, the first postseason victory in Grace King history.

Catton played professional baseball for eight seasons, reaching as high as Triple A as a fine catcher after playing at Southeastern Louisiana.

Catton was an outstanding football and baseball player at Nicholls High School, where one of his teammates was future Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame inductee Frank Misuraca, who was also his teammate at Southeastern. Misuraca went on a great career as a coach and administrator at Jesuit.

Obituary for Robert “Bobby” H. Catton
Robert “Bobby” H. Catton, age 82, passed away quietly May 20, 2020 relaxing in his favorite porch rocking chair at his home.
He is survived by his loving wife of 22 years Carolyn Alack Catton, his devoted son Robert “Robbie” M. Catton, and daughter Deborah “Debbie” Byrns, dear friend Paul Schultz, stepson Richard Lemoine, and stepdaughter Suzie Englade, plus others of his extended family, and an elder brother, Raymond.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond M. Catton and Marion Dours Catton; plus three brothers – Patrick, Michael, and Louis – in addition to a previous wife, Jackie Hammer Catton.
From early in life his energy, his determination, and his physical prowess translated into a remarkable skill in competitive sports, especially in football and baseball, where he displayed rare talent, so much so that in High school he was selected football first string All American by national sports figure and commentator Zack Mosely. But baseball was his preference, and upon graduation he began college at Southeast Louisiana Institute and was its baseball team’s catcher. He left after one year and yielded to the call of the professional leagues and signed up with the Dodgers where he caught for another seven years in the upper divisions.
He then left professional baseball and returned to college to finish his baccalaureate work and receive a Bachelor’s degree in Education! For the next forty years he taught and served as Athletic Director/Coach at chosen schools in the area. His many devoted former students know the rest of the story, but likely not so well as his closest friends and loving family who were so proud to have such a rare person – indeed a champion – as a part of their lives; a pride they will never forget.
And today we can all still lustily cheer our champion forth, but this time with the assurance that upon his hearing so will now relax in a more peaceful sleep.
The family invites you to share your memories and condolences online at www.milletguidry.com

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