Michael LaPrade was my eighth grade history teacher at Taylor Middle School. I have only just found out he has passed on. 

It feels to me like a close friend has died. He was, overwhelmingly, the single best teacher I’ve ever had. He had such a bright, brilliant intellect. His passion for history was incredible, his passion for teaching. He made sitting in that damned classroom enjoyable. He made me smile, and laugh, and now he’s making me cry tears as I remember him. As a 21 year old man, having moved from Lovington, I’m remembering him, and it hurts so much. 

My school years were difficult for me. I don’t know what I might’ve done if I hadn’t been lucky enough to be placed in his class. He very well may have saved my life. He had a nickname for me. He helped me engage with the class, and helped me come out of my shell, and open up. He fostered my love for history and education. By praising me for knowing things, and helping me to learn new things. What a kind person. What a great person. I barely knew him, really, and it hurts so much. So I can only imagine the agony that his family and close friends had. 

It hurts more because I was looking online for a way to contact him, to see what he was doing since my time in middle school. I wish I had tried sooner. I’ll regret that for the rest of my life that I didn’t get to talk to him one more time. 

On the first day of class he had a trivia game set up for us, and I remember one of the questions he asked was who the protagonist of the lord of the rings was. That’s when I knew I would love him as a teacher. 

He treated us like equals. He fostered us in a way so precious few teachers do. 

I hope he’s at peace. I hope he’s with god.

I am so blessed to have had you in my life  my son.  I will always  carry your memory in my heart until we see each other again.

You will always be in my heart. I know that the day will come when I will see you again. What a day that will be. Meanwhile,  the beautiful memories of you and the hope of the resurrection when the Lord Jesus Christ will return will carry me through.  Mom

A picture I found in my 15 album. RIP big Mike. Miss you.

I absolutely loved Mr. Laprade. He was my favorite teacher by far, he was such a sweet person and an amazing teacher. He will always and forever be my favorite.


I was a student of his for about three years when I attended middle school and I couldn’t be were i am know with out one very important Conversation with him 

Michael was one of my first friends when I started Radford.His jokes got the whole Class through the day. “Hey jess jess” He was such a great friend and participated in many of my great moments in my life like my quince, the birth of my son, my  college graduation., My marriage and my divorce.  His smile, laugh, and compassion will never be  forgotten. My condolences to his family. 

Came back to Radford for Radford Day with great friends 

To my Tia Luz Del Carmen & Uncle Ken, John, & Paul: 

I am praying for you to find healing through the Lord’s love. I am deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your son, Michael. I pray that God will give you strength and grant you comfort in your time of bereavement. May God watch over you and embrace you with His love. 

With much love,
Nancy "Pato" Ramirez 


Our dear Michael. You’ll be always in our hearts. We love you and we’re thankful to have known such a special human being, who touched lives and hearts, including ours. Until then beautiful boy…


My deepest condolences to the LaPrade family. I used to take care of there house when they went on vacation. The boys were very young then. The boys would set up tricks 
on me and I would do the same to them.  Don't know if they remember me. But I'll always remember them. Sincerely, Margaret Gutierrez 

This video is from class back when I was in 8th grade, he kept on singing this song alll class and we finally recorded him, he saved me from throwing my life away and saved me from myself…he will be missed truely. Best teacher I know, I love you Mr LaPrade 

My beloved ‘Shorty’. Where can I begin to say what an enormous impact you had & forever will have in my life & how sorely you’ll be missed. I nicknamed you ‘Shorty’ but you were never short on anything. On the contrary you always went beyond the call & made sure we all knew & felt your presence. You lit the room upon entering & touched  everyone with that contagious smile & laughter of yours.  You will always be in my heart & thoughts. Can’t wait for the return to give you the biggest kiss &  hug & fist pump 🤜 Love you to the moon and back Thelma Robaina 🙏❤️

Michael, you were my close friend for the vast majority of my life. You had a penchant for lighting up any room you stepped into, with not only your unique sense of humor, but also your warmth, kindness, and spirit. . You were an amazing son, brother, friend, and educator, and your impact on this world and legacy will carry on for generations to come. Love you Mike, until we meet again. Ohohohoho

Thank you for all the things. I had fun with you. I am going to miss you.
-Love Isaiah.

Thank you Michael for everything you have done for us. You were very funny and loving me and my brother both liked you very much. See you later.
- Ellijah

Thank you for being wonderful to us and creating beautiful memories with us. You are missed so much. Love you always. Daniela.

Michael was a tenderhearted person who had a way of making everyone he came in contact with feel cared about. He often addressed people by a name only he used for the person or in some other unique way. I don't believe this was just a reflection of his sense of humor, but rather a way of him affectionately personalizing his connection with the other person. I know I am just one of many people who are going to miss him a whole lot.

My brother and I have truly been blessed to have known Uncle Mikey our entire lives. God gifted us a teddy bear of a best friend, and we will forever be grateful to the LaPrade family for creating and nurturing such a beautiful human being. Uncle Mikey gifted our hearts with love, joy, and adventure. What more can we ask for… our childhood and beyond were full of bliss. His witty humor and contagious laugh will be missed. Life without him will never be the same, but our memories of him will never fade from our hearts. 

We love you, Uncle Mikey. More than you can ever know. Thank you for always believing in us. Thank you for loving us and putting a smile on our faces, even on rainy days. Because of you, we know what happiness is. We will carry what you taught us and ripple it out into the world.

From your tiny and mighty soldiers 
Little Levi and Karlita 

Memories or pictures can't explain how good of a person you actually were. From being neighbors and teammates I've always marveled how you presented yourself no matter the circumstance. I will miss you my friend! 

My sweet brother Michael, I love you with all my heart.

He was my best friend in the world. My brilliant, sensitive, courageous giant of a little brother. I’ll miss him with every breath, in every molecule of my being. 


Michael Laprade was one of the brightest embers of my past. He had a way about him that would always bring a smile. He was the best cheer leader a friend could have. He always encouraged me to speak kindly of myself and always had more love to give. He was a champion of the just and protector of the innocent. I am blessed to have spent so many nights and days with him and to have been able to call him my friend. He is a cornerstone of my youth and holds some of the best memories of my adolescence. Michael, I’m sorry that I didn’t take advantage of the time we had, but I look forward to seeing you again one day my friend. Until then, rest, laugh the booming laugh you had, and use your wings.

My deepest sympathies to the family during this time. I will be keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I have very fond memories of Big Mike at Radford. Rest in Peace big guy, much love. 


Visitation

Prayer Service

Graveside Service

Kenneth A. LaPrade

Luz Del Carmen LaPrade

John K. LaPrade

Paul D. LaPrade

Margaret Ann LaPrade

Michael is also survived by his sister-in-law Alessandra Narvaez Varela, his uncles and aunts Douglas E. LaPrade, Lourdes Rodriguez, Hugo Heredia, Israel Talamantes, and several cousins and other relatives.

OBITUARY

Michael Edward LaPrade

9 October, 1990 – 29 May, 2023

Funeraria del Angel Restlawn

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