David H. LaGue

David H. LaGue, 88, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 in his home in Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 2nd from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at McGilley State Line Chapel, where the Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, February 4th at 10:00 a.m., at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 West 103rd Street, Overland Park, KS, with burial following in Resurrection Cemetery.

David was born in 1924 in Liberal, KS the second of five children to parents L.A. and Gertrude LaGue. He lived most of his childhood in Ponca City, OK until his family moved back to Liberal, KS for his junior year of High School where he first met his lifelong sweetheart Marie (Vaughn). His family relocated the next year to Kansas City where he finished High School at Shawnee Mission North in 1942, and continued to correspond with Marie.

During WWII, in 1944, he married Marie in San Marcos, TX, where he received his navigation training and became Flight Officer - Navigator on the B-24 bomber. After completing his service in the Army Air Corp. he and Marie moved back to Kansas City where they raised ten children while residing in Mission, KS. He is survived by wife of 68 years, Marie LaGue, their children and their families, Theresa Mayes, Pamela Welch, Julia Martinez, Michael LaGue, Denise Hunt, Nina Thomas, Kristin Metz, Joseph LaGue, and LaFawn Olson and 71 grandchildren/great grandchildren/great-great grandchildren. His son Daniel LaGue preceded him in passing in 2009. He is also survived by his brothers Tom, Ben, Joe, and Paul LaGue.

A dedicated family man, David was an equal helping partner with his wife, Marie, long before it was fashionable. He had a gentle way of caring for babies, and playing with and disciplining children. He voluntarily did whatever needed to be done around the house whether it was the laundry, the grocery shopping, cooking, or yard work. He regularly whistled while he worked and as a father, taught by example. He was resourceful, focused on solutions and was able to make life pleasant, peaceful, orderly and secure. He was fun-loving and light hearted and could easily get tickled, appreciating the humor in simple family moments.

A carpenter by trade, in 1953, Dave partnered with salesman Glen O’Brien to found the Glen O’Brien Movable Partition Company in KC MO, where both men remained for the rest of their careers. They grew a successful midsize company. As President of the company after the passing of Glen O’Brien in 1970, Don Jackson joined Dave to serve as Vice President. Don quickly became a valuable business associate and respected personal friend. Don and wife Glyna Jackson have been dear lifetime friends of David and Marie.

David enjoyed golf with Marie and friends as a member of Milburn Country Club and then Blue Hills Country Club. The bridge club he and Marie joined at St. Pius X in their early family life continued through retirement and created lasting friendships. David had a green thumb, keeping the outdoors attractive with flowers and well groomed landscapes. Each summer the family ate from his vegetable garden tended lovingly by him with a few children or grandchildren by his side. He organized and participated in family fun including fishing, bowling, horse shoe competitions, croquet, family volleyball tournaments, firework displays and swimming.

David LaGue was a faithful man of prayer and a model of integrity, generosity and kindness to all who knew him, especially to his wife, children, their spouses, grandchildren, friends and co-workers. A humble, cheerful man, he lived his faith through his daily actions, thoughtful words, and good-natured personality. Prayer was an integral part of daily life, occurring before meals, in the evening as a family before bed, before celebrations, holiday activities and weddings. In the quiet of the morning before family and work responsibilities called, David used that precious time to read scripture and pray. Whether at St. Pius X Catholic church in Mission, KS in early family life, Queen of the Holy Rosary church in Overland Park, KS in mid family life, or St. Thomas More church in KC, MO, in later family life, David could be found at daily mass and on the altar as a lector on Sundays. He was a Eucharistic Minister and a strong supporter of Catholic education.

David H. LaGue was a sweet and exceptional man who lived a full life of faith and love. He made the world a better place and was a gift to those who were blessed to know him. His life was lived all for the greater honor and glory of God. May he rest in the peace of eternal salvation.