India Rader Stroope President India is the daughter of the late LeRoy and Bennie Rader, the founders of Rader Funeral Home. Kilgore has been India’s home her entire life with the exception of her college years. After the death of her son Mark and husband Vernon Mitchell in 1976, she became active in the management of the funeral home. Now she and her son J. Mitchell continue the family tradition that her father, LeRoy, began in 1938. India does volunteer and community work and serves as an Elder with the First Presbyterian Church, Kilgore. But her first love is sharing time with her five grandchildren.

J. Mitchell Funeral Director in Charge Known by one and all as “J”, he is the son of India Rader Stroope and the late Vernon Mitchell. He was born on May 6, 1960 at Laird Hospital, Kilgore. J is a 1978 graduate of Kilgore High School, and graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas and the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He and his wife Penni have three children, Phillip, Britt and Margie. Like his mother, J is an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church. He enjoys cooking, boating and fixing up old jeeps.

Kathy Cahill Office Manager Kathy Cahill joined the staff at Radar in September, 2008. She and her husband, John, have been married for 28 years and have 2 daughters, Kacy and Kara and a grandbaby, Jackson. Kacy and her husband Kyle (Davis) live in Corpus Christi where he is in the service and she teaches high school English. Kara is a nursing student at SFA in Nacogdoches. Their family moved to East Texas in April of 1987 and are members of the Chandler St. Church of Christ in Kilgore. In her spare time, Kathy enjoys movies, cooking, church activities, and just being with family, especially grandson, Jack.

Chris Norris Funeral Director Chris has been a licensed funeral director with Rader's for many years. The son of the late C.L. Norris and Ruby Whiteside, he was born in Marshall, Texas and grew up in Kilgore. After graduating from Kilgore High School and Kilgore College, Chris attended and graduated from the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He is past President of the East Texas Funeral Directors Association and past Board Member of the Texas Funeral Directors Association. Chris enjoys spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, boating, and ATV trail riding .

Kyle Jefferson Barton Funeral Director Kyle Jefferson Barton has been a member of our staff since 1998. He was born and raised in Garland, Texas and is a 1990 graduate of South Garland High School. Prior to graduating from the Dallas Institute of Funeral service in 1997, Kyle attended Stephen F. Austin State University and Richland Community College. He's married to Stacey and they have two daughters, Bailee Nicole age 11 and Carter Grace 4. Kyle loves spending time with his family and friends as well as many other activities.

James Baker Funeral Director James was born in Arlington, TX, and attended the Kilgore public schools. He has been a resident of Kilgore since 1986. James began his career in the funeral business in 1992 with the Rader family and is a 1999 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service. He and his wife Jeri Lynn have one son, Baily, who is student in the Kilgore Schools. James and Jeri Lynn are also expecting another son in February. James enjoys cooking out in his outdoor kitchen and restoring old cars.

Chris Hachtel Funeral Director Chris has been a member of our staff since August 2007. He was born in Denton, Texas and grew up in Jacksboro, Texas. Chris is a graduate of Kilgore College and Dallas Institute of Funeral Service where he recieved his Funeral Director and Embalmer License. Chris married Monica Burkett Hachtel of Kilgore in 2005. He and his wife Monica have two children, Jacob and Maddox. He enjoys cooking, hunting & outdoors and spending time with family.

Eric Royal Funeral director Eric has been a member of our Rader staff since 2000. He was born in Conroe, Tx and grew up in Longview, Tx. Immediately after graduation from Pine Tree High School in 1992, he attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service earning a degree in Mortuary Science and his Funeral Director's and Embalmer's License. Eric and his wife Breahn reside in White Oak, Tx and are members of Grace Fellowship Church in Kilgore, Tx. Together they have four children, Blake, Sarah, Claire, and Amanda. Eric and Breahn enjoy cooking, roadtrips, the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. Eric is also a member of the Masonic Lodge.

Harry Douglas Funeral Director Harry joined the Rader staff as a part-time employee in 2004. He is retired from Kilgore college where he served as Director of Student Services for thirty years. A native Houstonian, he graduated from Kilgore College and Stephen F. Austin State University. He received his Mortuary Science Certificate from Amarillo College in 2005. Harry married Mary Layne Evans of Kilgore in 1963. They have one son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Mindy Douglas; and two grandchildren, Hunter and Haylie, all of Bryan, Texas. Harry and Mary are members of the Chandler Street Church of Christ.

Linda K. Ballard Evening Visitation Hostess Linda went to work for the funeral home on a part-time basis after she and J Mitchell discussed the need for a "week or two" of extra help as an evening hostess. That was over seven years ago. Today Linda is still providing service to the community and to Rader Funeral Home. She has one son who lives in Oklahoma, and three grandsons she 'oversees the raising of' at her home here." Linda works full time as a staff writer and ad representative for the Kilgore News Herald. "It has been an honor to work with this family and the many families that have crossed our doorstep over the years." She said. "Once you step through our doors, you become part of our family."

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