BENTON – On the evening of September 28, George Nattin Jr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving daughters. He was born in Houston Texas on February 25, 1940 to George Nattin Sr. and Ava Vernon Nattin.
At Bossier High School he excelled in basketball and was All City, All District and All State 56. Voted most likely to succeed, President of the Sophomore, Junior class and Student Council. Valedictorian of his graduating class, he was inducted by the Bossier High School Alumni Association into the Sports and Spirit Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
A recent inductee of the LSU Basketball All Century Team George came out of Bossier High School with excellent credentials and more than lived up to the hype during his three years of varsity competition. His free throw percentage for his career of .792 is seventh on LSU’s all-time list. An excellent student, his success continued his sophomore season and hit 13.5 PPG in 16 games. 16.5 points in 25 games in ’61, and 12.7 points per each of his 24 games. He was All-SEC in 1961 and Academic All-SEC in 1962.
Leaving Bossier City, he changed careers and started as a dealer and worked his way into executive status at several casino properties. He started his gaming career at The Fremont and later the Stardust and Sands before moving on to many years with Caesar’s Palace and Caesar’s World. He then partnered to get approval and open the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City and was the first President.
An avid golfer, during his retirement he was instrumental in restoring Palmetta Country Club. In addition to loving the Bossier City area his heart always remained with his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many long time friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents George Nattin Sr, Ava Nattin, daughter Melinda Nattin, granddaughter Stephanie Brascia. He is survived by his daughters Melanie Nattin Horner and husband Scott of Las Vegas, NV; Meschell Nattin Brascia and husband Peter of Washington DC; Monique Rowell and husband Chris of Hattiesburg MS. Honorary brother Rodney Nattin, Grandchildren Natalie Keffer and husband Brett, Richie Griffin and wife Jessie, Niki Anderson and husband Dave; Kaylie, Lillian and Paul Rowell; Allie, Anna and Sam Brascia; Great grandchildren Sean, Jack and Preston Griffin; Ava Keffer.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude for the excellent nursing and medical staff of Willis Knighton Piermont and Life Care. And a special heartfelt appreciation to an extraordinary care giver, Bridget Murray.
Visitation for family and friends will be at Hill Crest Funeral Home in Haughton LA on Wednesday October 1 from 5:00-7:00pm. The celebration of his life will be held at Hill Crest Chapel on Thursday October 2 at 11:00am.
