David Francis LaViolette

LaViolette, David F. died surrounded by his family on January 16, 2025, at age 83. David was born in Appleton, Wisconsin on October 12, 1941, and is predeceased by David LaViolette, Marie LaViolette, JoAnn LaViolette, and Marguerite (Muggs) LaViolette-Armstrong. David is survived by his loving wife, Barbara LaViolette; step-son, Steven Nord; sisters: Helen LaViolette-Pfefferle (Robert), Sara LaViolette-Sirmon (Patrick), Mary Pat LaViolette-Bass (Wayne), Ruth LaViolette-Hollahan (Gregory), Renee LaViolette-Turbi (Omar), and Thomas Armstrong (brother-in-law). He will be lovingly remembered by twenty nieces and nephews and many friends. 

 David LaViolette, “FALCON,” graduated from high school in Appleton, Wisconsin where he was captain of the track team, a starter on the 1960 championship basketball team, and All-Conference in football. 

 David graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1964 with his BS degree. He was one of five former Eau Claire football players to be inducted into the school’s Blue Gold Hall of Fame. He was the last Blue Gold football player to start on both offense and defense and he lettered 4 times at Eau Claire. David was an All-Conference halfback in both 1962 & 1963 and served as the Captain of the unbeaten 1963 squad. The record of the unbeaten 1963 squad still stands today. David led the team in kickoff and punt returns in 1963 and in interceptions in both 1961 & 1962. On October 22, 1989, David LaViolette was inducted into the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire’s Hall of Fame. David was also a member of the NAIA football team in 1963. After graduating from Eau Claire David was invited to the Minnesota Viking rookie camp. But by that time, he had already enlisted in the Marine Corps.

 After Officers Candidate School, LaViolette received a U.S. Marine Corps commission as a second lieutenant from Quantico in December 1964 and was designated a Naval Aviator in Pensacola on April 8, 1966. He was promoted to Captain in March 1967.

 David served two tours in Viet Nam. During the first tour he was a pilot with HMM-363 in Vietnam from August 1966 until September 1967. He then returned to Pensacola as a flight instructor at HT-18 and then served a second tour as a pilot with HML-167 in Vietnam from October 1970 until June 1971. During both tours, LaViolette flew a total of 1,060 combat missions.

 Laviolette earned a total of 53 Air Medals plus the Distinguished Flying Cross for, “Heroism and extraordinary achievement in aerial flight.” He also received a Single Mission Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, MUC, CAR, PUC, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation, Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Air Cross of Gallantry and NUC. In his 11 years in the USMC, he compiled 3,824 flight hours.

 Since leaving the USMC in 1975, LaViolette has been a Florida real estate broker and co-owner of the Real Estate House in Gulf Breeze, FL. During his retirement he & his wife of 47 years, Barbara LaViolette have enjoyed living in their beautiful home on Pensacola Beach where David enjoyed maintaining their grounds in immaculate condition.

 David LaViolette was a great Patriotic American who put his family and country ahead of himself. He will be missed by many.

 In lieu of flowers please make a donation to your local animal shelter.