Richard Potter Laster

LASTER -- Richard Potter, 80, passed away on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 in Tulsa, OK. Dick was born on February 21, 1926 in Des Moines, IA. He was the fourth child in the family born to Donald and Gladys Potter Laster. His father passed away in 1929 when Dick was 3 years old. His mother raised a daughter and three sons alone during the Great Depression. At age 17, Dick enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he became a Sergeant Gunner on a B-17 flying out of Italy. He barely survived a crash landing when returning from a mission into Germany. Later, he was awarded a Purple Heart Medal. Following the end of WWII, Dick obtained a scholarship to attend his beloved University of Iowa. As an outstanding Center, he started every game the Hawkeyes played from his Freshman through his Senior years. He became the only football player to become an Iowa Football Letterman for 4 straight years; an honor that remains to this day. Dick graduated from the University of Iowa earning a B.S.B. He worked in sales for Hoerner Boxes, Inc. in Keokuk, IA, Waukegan, IL and Sand Springs, OK. A gregarious Salesman and Manager, he eventually became a Vice President of that company. In 1972, Dick and his family moved to Tulsa where he and two friends formed Southwest Packaging, Inc. in Sapulpa, OK. Dick was Vice President and partner in that company until it was acquired by Green Bay Packaging, Inc. He retired from the business in 1996. Dick was a founding member and Director Emeritus of The Committee of One Hundred, a charity which provides benefits and scholarships for the surviving families of Highway Patrol Officers, Police Officers and Firemen. Dick was a member of Southern Hills Country Club and his golfing buddies fondly named him "Hawkeye". He and his wife enjoyed playing golf across the country and traveling in Europe. Dick cherished his annual "big fish" fishing trips to Canada and Alaska with his brothers and their sons. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Gladys Potter-Laster; his oldest brother, Donald Laster, Jr.; and his sister, Joan Laster Allen. He is survived by: his wife of 52 years, Jean Morrow Laster; brother, Thomas G. Laster of Springfield, MO; his children, Tammy Deisenroth and her husband, Craig, and Ann Laster Farbro; his grandchildren, Lauren K. Deisenroth, Grant L. Deisenroth, Richard L. Farbo and, Emily A. Farbro. A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December, 30, 2006, at St. John's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers the family requests that remembrances be made to The Committee of One Hundred, P.O. Box 470372, Tulsa, OK 74147-0372. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, (918) 585-1151.