Joseph LaCour

Joseph M. LaCour September 3, 1920 - May 18, 2012 Joseph M. LaCour of Long Beach, California, passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on the evening of Friday, May 18, 2012, in Rolling Hills, California. Mr. LaCour was born September 3, 1920, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to the late Joseph and Nina LaCour (nee DeCuir). A graduate of Xavier Prep High School, he valued education highly his entire life, attending the University of Southern California and later, while in his early fifties, graduating from Cal State Dominguez Hills. In New Orleans on Valentine's Day in 1942, Mr. LaCour married Elizabeth M. Norwood, with whom he recently celebrated seventy beautiful years of marriage. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. LaCour entered the U.S. Army, serving in World War II and attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1945, he moved to Southern California, where he resided for 67 years. Mr. LaCour worked for 32 years for McDonnell Douglas, ending his career as a Planning Engineer. Among several jobs he held prior to his aerospace career, he most notably worked as a carpenter, as did his father and brothers in the LaCour tradition. Mr. LaCour's life was defined by a great generosity of spirit. His love of family was unparalleled; for decades he joyfully coached Little League baseball, the sport he loved so dearly; for many years he served as an usher at St. Anthony Parish in Long Beach and volunteered at the Long Beach Senior Center. Wherever he went, love and laughter were sure to follow. Mr. LaCour is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; his daughter and her husband, Joeann and Errol Gordon; his son and son's wife, Jacques LaCour and Deborah Hovey-LaCour; four grandchildren, Erin Proctor, Christiaan Gordon, Nina LaCour and Julien LaCour; three great-grandchildren, Xavier, Claudette and Lola Proctor; and sister Irma Badon. He was preceded in death by siblings Grace LaCour, Gladys Lanoix, Martin LaCour and Rudolph LaCour. Funeral mass will be held Friday, May 25, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Parish, 600 Olive Ave., Long Beach, followed by interment at All Souls Cemetery, 4400 Cherry Ave, Long Beach. Mr. LaCour's mere presence - not to mention his jokes - made all of us feel good about life and about ourselves; his dear memory is a gift that will continue to spread joy. Rest well, Joe - your life was indeed well-lived.