Wilfred LaForte

Wilfred H. "Red" LaForte, 84, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025, at Oswego Health and Rehabilitation in Oswego, Kansas.
Red was born on March 2, 1941, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Henry Thomas and May Elizabeth (Roberts) LaForte. Red grew up and attended school in Coffeyville graduating from Field Kindley High School.
On May 23, 1959, he married Emma F. Ross at Independence, Kansas. A proud son of Kansas and America, he was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose love for his family was paramount. His service to his country was equally significant, demonstrated by his time in the U.S. Navy, where he served in various locations including Key West, Florida, Kingsville, Texas, Chula Vista, California, Vallejo, California, at the Presidio in San Francisco, California, the Philippines and several other bases before returning his family to Coffeyville in 1977.
Red was a man of many accomplishments, both personally and professionally. He was a proud member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1022 and American Legion Post #20. Red was a dedicated employee of Funk MFG Co. now John Deere Coffeyville Works, where he worked in Research and Development before his retirement. A man of many hobbies, Red enjoyed bowling, having bowled two 300 games, and also found joy in golfing and hunting.
Red is survived by his children Connie (Roger) Pursley and Wilfred (Darla) LaForte, his sister Bea Cox, his grandchildren Melissa (Josh) Elliott, Vaness McWhirt, Shelby (Austin) Pursley, Blaine McWhirt, Wilfred (Nycole McConnell) LaForte III, Jennifer Anderson, and Jessie Batten, and his great-grandchildren Jalissa Elliott, Peyden Elliott, Gabriel Elliott, Kaiden Pursley, Ezra Pursley, Zaina Pursley, Wilfred IV, Christopher LaForte, Macey Anderson, Nala LaForte, Caidence Batten, Rowan Harney, and Robert III. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Mary LaForte, grandson Christopher LaForte, and his siblings Tom LaForte, Jim LaForte, Gordon LaForte, Bill McCullough, Alice Rains, Wilma Wright, Zilla Kastler, Rosalea LaForte, and Sharon Coons.
A Memorial Graveside Service for Red will be held on Saturday, 22 Nov 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Robbins Cemetery, west of Coffeyville. Military Honors will be conducted by V.F.W. Post #1022 and American Legion Post #20.
Please join us in celebrating the life of Wilfred "Red" LaForte, a man who loved his family, served his country, and left a legacy of strength and kindness. We invite you to share your memories of Red and upload photos on his memorial page at www.dwbfh.com, as we remember and honor his life.