Gary Dee LaFrance

**Please note that donation options are available at the bottom of the page*
Closing the last pages of this love story.
Gary entered Heaven's gate early in the morning, December 17, 2024, with his love by his side. She was with him from the beginning to the end, as well as while he faced a two year-long, hard-fought, and courageous battle with cancer. He didn't end this battle alone. There were also 9 family members and a friend, ranging from Papua, New Guinea to the Netherlands. That shows how much he was loved & will be missed.
Gary Dee LaFrance was born in Pampa, Texas on Sept. 12, 1959, to Earnest Dee LaFrance and Mary Kay Lunsford LaFrance. His Lunsford family settled in Pampa, Texas in the 1920's following the oil boom. This makes Gary one of the last two living Lunsford descendants in Pampa. Gary had fond memories of growing up, and his grandparents were a big part of his upbringing. He started following current events at age 7, which continued to be of great interest during the rest of his life. In high school, he was on the annual staff and was active taking photos for the Harvester annuals. Gary was also on staff and enjoyed helping publish the Little Harvester Newspaper. He graduated from Pampa High School with the Class of 1978. Then, Gary went on to attend Texas Tech University studying photography and some horticulture.
Gary was an enthusiastic Dallas Cowboy, Southern Rock and NASCAR fan, collecting lots of memorabilia from all of them. He was an avid reader and was always researching family information, becoming an ardent ancestry buff. Gary has traveled to many places including 36 states of the USA, also Canada and Mexico. He worked in several of those places as well. He graduated from diesel mechanic school with an associate degree. He worked for VSL many years doing heavy construction and high-rise work. After that, he worked several years for Schlumberger. Gary lived and worked in Arlington and the DFW Metroplex of Texas for 40 years. Afterwards, he finally moved back to his hometown. Upon returning to Pampa, Gary joined Briarwood Church and enjoyed participating in their Connection Groups. He also became involved in a few men's Bible studies and was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord. Gary renewed a relationship with a lifelong friend. After spending a great amount of time together, Gary married the love of his life, LaDaina.
During the last few years, Gary came to know Kristy Duenkel Worley, who LaDaina has known since she was a very young girl. Kristy has been a Godsend for both Gary and LaDaina, especially due to the issues Gary had to endure with his cancer and being in Dallas quite often for treatments. They consider her as the daughter neither of them ever had. She calls them 'Mom' and 'Dad' because of their close bond and love for one another. Kristy has cooked many delicious meals for them, ran errands, looked after their home while they were away, cared for all their pets, and did many other things to help them.
Gary is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Kay Lunsford LaFrance in 2012, and father, Earnest Dee LaFrance in June 2024.
He is survived by his wife, LaDaina Hyatt LaFrance; nephew Keenan Henderson and wife Cathy of Elk City, Oklahoma; several great nieces & a great nephew; many close cousins and dear friends.
For those preferring to honor Gary through memorials, the family strongly suggests they be donated to Pleasant Hills Children's Home, PO Box 1177, Fairfield, TX 75840; Scottish Rites for Children, 2222 Welborn Street, Dallas, TX 75219 or to Wycliff Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862 to the attention of Michael & Faith Turner Ministry, Acct 285305.
Gary will be available for viewing on Monday, December 30th from 1-2pm and again from 6-8pm as well as Tuesday, December 31st from 1-2pm and again from 6-8pm in the Sunset state room. A Family and Friends Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 2nd from 5:30 until 7:30 pm in the Winegeart Funeral Home Reception Hall.
Celebration of Life Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 pm, Friday, January 3rd, 2025, in the Winegeart Funeral Home Serenity Chapel with Pastor Jamisen Hancock officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Fairview Cemetery. The family has entrusted the care of their loved one to Winegeart Funeral Home.
Donations are being accepted for: PLEASANT HILLS CHILDRENS HOME OF THE TEXAS SCOTTISH RITE HOSPITAL FOR CRI To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Gary Dee LaFrance, please visit our Tree Store.