Harold Louis Lafoe's Obituary
Harold Louis "Red Eye" Lafoe, 65, of Anacoco, Louisiana, passed away unexpectedly Monday August 23, 2021 in Alexandria, Louisiana with his devoted wife Debra and his daughters Erica and Christine by his side. He was born March 12, 1956 in Fairbanks, Alaska to Louis L. and Ruth A. Lafoe (née LaLonde). As the son of an Army soldier, he lived in many places before the Lafoe family finally settled in Vernon Parish, Louisiana permanently. He would tell tales of his childhood as a "Snuff Ridge Kid", making lifelong friends and growing to love his community. After school he enlisted in the Navy and travelled the world again before coming home and embarking on a full and vibrant life doing what he loved best, helping people. He also worked alongside his father and brother at their family business, LLL Trucking for many years.
Harold was a true hometown hero, volunteering and then working as a fireman at Leesville Fire Department who was eager to learn and then teach the next generation of heroes how to do things "the right way." We must guess that his service at LFD wasn't quite enough to satisfy his need to serve, because after retiring, he decided to start another career that lasted more than 10 years with the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office as a deputy and then a bailiff working in Judge Eaves' courtroom until his death. He sure did love his courthouse family and took pride in keeping them safe and entertained with many hilarious stories and more than a few slick one liners. He was a member of the Leesville Masonic Lodge No. 240 Free and Accepted Masons.
People remember Harold as being kind, generous, open-minded and fair, a man who never met a man whose hand he wouldn't shake, but his absolute greatest source of pride was his family. He was never happier than when he had his beautiful bride Debra by his side, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Always ready to lend a hand, a pat on the back, and a word of advice, he loved his family unconditionally, even after helping his gypsy children move so many times he had to joke that he and Debra needed to buy a U-Haul.
He was a multi-faceted and multi-talented man. An avid outdoorsman, he loved to hunt and fish, ride motorcycles, and make great things happen on his grill. He enjoyed creating things; he carved walking sticks and dabbled with Native American style jewelry and pipes. He even made a dining table and benches with "help" from all his girls. He was a thespian, acting in All's Well that Ends Well on Ft. Polk. Harold enjoyed playing pool, especially when his league team consisted of mostly family and when he went to National Playoffs in Las Vegas.
He was preceded in death by his father, his grandson Justin Blaize Lafoe, his step son Tony Taylor, and his sweet little dog Abby.
He is survived by his loving mother, the love of his life, Debra Sue Lafoe (nee Dunlap), his wife of 23 years, his daughters Erica (Shary) White of Bowling Green, KY, Nancy Bryant of Ellijay, GA, Christine Lafoe Hawk of Crossville, TN, and Jennifer Bennett of Lakewood, CO, son Brandon Lafoe of Rosepine, LA, step son Michael Ruckert of Anacoco, LA and his other 4 footed furry girl Heide. Grandchildren: Galen Harper, Brandon Lake, Kyle and Jonathan Walls, Austin Bryant, Charlie and Gabriel Hawk, Skylar and Micah Bennett, Sarah and Ellie Ruckert, and Corey Smith. Great grandchildren Bailey and Noah Lake, Kinleigh Smith and Brooklyn Milsap. Siblings Sheri Sinclair, Lou Ann (Roger) Sanders, Louis (Terri) Lafoe, Andrea (Roy) Reibold, and Bonnie (Darlene) Guillory.
Honorary Pallbearers are Charles Lou Droddy, Charlie Bass, Gregory Guillory, Ethan Guillory, Kamren Guillory, Charlie Hawk, Galen Harper and Ryan Paul Lafoe.
Friends and family are welcome to visitation Friday, August 27, 2021 from 6pm-8pm at Labby Memorial Funeral Home at 601 S. 4th Street, Leesville, LA, and for one hour before the celebration of life service which will be held at 2pm, Saturday, August 28, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Leesville, 1400 Nolan Trace, Leesville, LA.
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