Rader Funeral Home
401 N. Martin
Kilgore, TX  75662
903-984-2525
1-800-283-0332
info@raderfuneralhome.com
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India Rader Stroope
President

india1@raderfuneralhome.com

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

jmitchell@raderfuneralhome.com

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@raderfuneralhome.com

Kathy Cahill joined the staff at Radar in September, 2008. She and her husband, John, have been married for 27 years and have 2 daughters, Kacy and Kara and a grandbaby, Jackson. Kacy and her husband Kyle (Davis) live in Killeen where Kyle is stationed at Ft. Hood and Kacy is a middle school English teacher. 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

chrisnorris@raderfuneralhome.com

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

kylebarton@raderfuneralhome.com

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 9 and Carter Grace 2. Kyle loves to spend time on the golf course in his spare time.
Brian Franklin Pilcher
Funeral Director

brianp@raderfuneralhome.com

Brian is a native of White Oak, Texas and a proud son of the “Oil Patch”. He is a 1995 graduate of White Oak High School and attended Kilgore College. He is a 1999 graduate of Peirce's Dallas Institute of Funeral Service from which he earned his degree in Mortuary Science. He is licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer, member of the National Funeral Directors Association, and The Texas Funeral Directors Association. Brian has worked in funeral service since 1996, and is proud to be back “home” in Kilgore. Brian’s wife Laurie, also a native of White Oak, is employed with Gregg County. In his spare time, Brian enjoys archery/gun hunting, fishing, ATV trail riding, and home projects.
Chris Hachtel
Funeral Director

chrishachtel@raderfuneralhome.com

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 and spending time with his family.
Eric Royal
Funeral director

ericryl@raderfuneralhome.com

Eric has been a member of our Rader staff since 2000. He was born in Conroe, Tx and grew up in Longview, Tx, graduating from Pine Tree High School. Immediately after graduation in 1992, Eric attended the Dallas Institute of Funeral Service earning a degree in Mortuary Science and his Funeral Director's and Embalmer's License. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and is a Baptist. In their spare time, Eric and Elaine enjoy, cooking, yard work, numerous outdoor activities, and having good times with their friends and family.

Harry Douglas
Funeral Director

harry@raderfuneralhome.com

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@raderfuneralhome.com

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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