Jeffrey De La Fleur

Jeffrey ("Jeff") De La Fleur, beloved widower of Deborah and devoted father to David and James, unexpectedly departed this world to join Deborah in Heaven on June 30th, 2024, leaving a void in the hearts of his family and friends. Born on June 1st, 1961, in Utica, NY, he enriched the lives of all those around him until joining the United States Air Force in 1984. He retired a Master Sgt. in 2006, after devoting 22 years of his life to serving his country.
Jeff's life was filled with adventure, love, dedication to his family, and a passion for attending and participating in sporting events – baseball, football, hockey, NASCAR, and his favorite, golf. In his early military years, Jeff was part of a local softball league and regularly brought his family to his games. He instilled a deep love of sports in his son James, creating bonds and memories that will be passed down for generations. He always made a point to take his boys to live games at least once a season which is a tradition that still lives on today.
In addition to his love of sports and outdoor activities, Jeff had a huge passion for American history. He loved spending leisure time in his favorite chair with a thick book, history literature, war movies, or documentaries, completely drawn into the stories they told. Being a military service member, he related to these tales in ways only others who have served could appreciate. The connections and camaraderie of his fellow service members were something he cherished closely, and he often shared his enthusiasm with his family and friends alike.
Jeff's love for adventure also resonated throughout his life. During his time in the military, he had the opportunity to travel all over the world. From spending months on a ship helping curate pizza parties for his tired colleagues to visiting Guam, Belgium, Hawaii, Japan, Germany, France, and many other places, Jeff was always willing and ready to experience different cultures. He always spoke fondly of these times, expressing gratitude for experiences beyond his dreams as a boy from a small town in upstate New York.
Cooking also held a special place in Jeff's heart. The memories of laughter and flavorful smells filling the kitchen, especially around the holidays, will be sorely missed. From summer BBQs in scorching heat to waking up at dawn to start Thanksgiving dinner while watching the Macy's parade, he thoroughly looked forward to the opportunity to serve his family and friends. These traditions, filled with laughter and love, will forever be cherished and continued by his loved ones.
Jeff's creative spirit found its outlet in two ways, thinking up methods of spend quality time with the ones he loved most, and finding out a way to lift your spirit through laughter. He had a talent for turning everyday situations into a joke just to see someone smile. He shared his humor generously with anyone who would listen, all in support of brightening someone's day.
Jeffrey is survived by his brother, two sons, daughter-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, sister-in-law, and father-in-law, whose lives he brightened with his love, wisdom, and kindness. He also leaves behind a circle of friends who will forever hold his memory close to their hearts. He was preceded in passing by his mother, Jacqueline De La Fleur, his father, Fredrick De La Fleur, and his wife, Deborah De La Fleur, yet his spirit remains eternally connected.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to "Hope For The Warriors" in Jeffrey's name, a non-profit organization supporting service members, veterans, and military families.
Jeffrey's presence in our lives will be deeply missed, yet his spirit will continue to shine brightly in our hearts. May he rest in eternal peace, forever serenaded by the memories of a life well-lived and the joy he brought to all who knew him.