Lee LaFleur

Lee A. LaFleur died Dec. 2, 2012 at Pathways Hospice at McKee Medical Center in Loveland, Colo. following a heart attack. He was 76. When asked what they would remember most about him friends, family and even acquaintances were unanimous and unhesitant: His sense of humor. LaFleur was born June 23, 1936, in Oak Park, Ill. One of his fondest memories was of his favorite childhood story: Peter Puckle and the Whippety Elves. His family would later spend years trying to find a copy. They finally secured one for Christmas in 2003, which he stored away as a treasure. The family is again searching for it. As a teenager, LaFleur moved with his family to Denver and he graduated from East High School in 1954. He later joined the Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, Calif. He also participated in the atomic bomb testing in Nevada. After leaving the Marines, he attended Colorado State University, where he met his future wife, Darlene, at a dance. “She was the prettiest girl in the room,” he would say nearly 50 years later (in a 2010 interview). They were married for 52 years. In addition to Darlene, he is survived by their son Philip (wife Mary Ann) of Loveland; their daughter Jennifer (husband Jim Getz) of Baltimore; brother Tom (wife Margie) of Hugo; granddaughter Shannon of Anchorage; grandson Brandon of Loveland and Gordon the cat, also of Loveland. LaFleur lived in Loveland from 1971 until the time of his death. He operated Insurance Professionals for nearly 20 years there, but he later left that behind to become a stockbroker. He was active in the Lions Club, regularly pushing boxes of light bulbs to folks throughout Loveland. He belonged to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. An avid runner and hiker, LaFleur was proud to have finished the Bolder Boulder 10-K Race more than 20 times and to have summited Long's Peak nine times. Among his many other interests were photography, astronomy and extreme pumpkin carving. Even after he developed Parkinson's disease, his wide interests and his sense of humor did not fade. He was renowned for his puns and word play especially. His family is grateful to the volunteers and health workers who helped him at home, and to the staff at McKee Medical Center. Memorial donations may be made to Pathways Hospice (www.pathways-care.org) or the Parkinson's Support Group in Larimer County (www.pdsupportlc.net). A memorial Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist on Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. While his relatives and friends miss him already, they must smile and be grateful for the lifetime of wonderful memories. So, in the words of Steven Wright (one of his favorite comedians): “End Quote.”