Rick LaFleur

Richard "Rick" LaFleur, 55, of Jacksonville, died Monday, June 3, 2019, at Vidant Hospice in Greenville.
Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Monday at the Church at Onslow on Pony Farm Road. Graveside services will follow at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Onslow Memorial Park. Mr. LaFleur was preceded in death by his father, Richard B. LaFleur. He is survived by his mother, Jean Smith LaFleur; one sister, Lisa LaFleur Meinhardt and husband, Christopher; one brother, Brad LaFleur and wife, Casey; four nieces, Kara and Kelsey Pate, Lauren and Gabrielle LaFleur; and his special friend, Jennifer Pope.
If you met Rick, within five minutes he would offer you his seat or try to do something nice for you. He was a good man who did not have a mean bone in his body and who made his mark in the world, not with grand gestures or fancy titles, but by the basic goodness and generosity of his character and how he brought out the best in others. Rick wasn't a loud soul who blazed paths, but he sat by the side of the highway of life, never a scorner of people, but ready to be a friend who would give you the shirt off his back. For his family and friends, he is still here in our hearts and minds, still bringing us joy because his stories live on. As we hold him in our thoughts, we can feel his spirit, and that gives us strength and courage.
Rick was amazing at creative pursuits and loved sports. He fell in love with surfing and guitar at a young age. He "shredded" guitar in a local band, enjoyed making music with close friends, and loved watching the New England Patriots every season with his dad and brother. He never failed to show up to support his nieces in gymnastics. Standing at the glass window, he was ready with two thumbs up when they looked his way. He texted his mom every single night making sure she never went to bed without knowing he loved her. The tears we've shed could flood the earth, and we will miss Rick every day until the end of time, but we need to go on, to love and miss him, because through us, he will live. He will forever be in our lives, forever be a son, brother, uncle, and friend. Rick, we'll never forget your soothing voice, familiar scent, big heart, smile, and jokes that made us laugh so hard, but now we have to let you rest. It will never be easy, and we will always remember. We love you with all our hearts.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday evening, prior to the service, at the church. Electronic condolences may be left for the family at Jonesfh.org.