LaPrele Deane George

LaPrele Badouin George, a beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home in Las Vegas, Nevada at the age of 91. Her passing marks the end of a remarkable life filled with love, creativity, and dedication to family and community. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, and son, Douglas. She is survived by her children Michele Davies (Brady), Cherie Haddock (Rich), and Stephen (Michelle), as well as 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Born with a natural talent for performance and a zest for life, LaPrele grew up in Northern California. She played the violin in the youth symphony in San Francisco and graduated from Berkeley High School in 1951. A gifted violinist, pianist, and singer, she was deeply involved in choral and instrumental programs at Brigham Young University, where she met her husband and majored in music.

LaPrele and Lloyd were married in 1956 in the Los Angeles LDS Temple. Their journey together took them to Texas, where Lloyd served in the United States Air Force, and later to Berkeley, where he attended law school. Lloyd and LaPrele's first child, Douglas, was born with severe developmental disabilities, and she devoted her life to caring for him until his passing in 2022. Driven by their strong desire to help Douglas and others like him, LaPrele and Lloyd played an important role in developing Opportunity Village, a disability services and support organization that has served thousands in the greater Las Vegas area.

In 1961, the family settled in Las Vegas, where LaPrele became a vibrant part of the community. Despite the unique demands of caring for a son with disabilities and three other children, she still found time to enrich others through the arts. She directed and produced elaborate community theater performances, serving as director, producer, costume designer, and set designer. For two decades, her much-anticipated live nativity pageant (complete with donkeys, sheep, and even camels) drew large crowds every Christmas. She sang in the Las Vegas Desert Chorale, a premier choral ensemble, for many years, and performed all over the city. In addition, she organized numerous youth and adult choirs and other local arts programs.

LaPrele hosted many foreign dignitaries and domestic officials in her home and was known for her grace. She was also a talented artist. Although none of her grandchildren had quite the knack for crafting that she did, her enthusiasm managed to convince even the most skeptical among them to find joy in creating, or at the very least, appreciating art. Many of her children and grandchildren also inherited her love of music.

LaPrele was an exceptional mother and grandmother. She ensured that her home was a loving environment for Douglas, Michele, Cherie, Stephen, and later, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home, filled with music and joy, became a cherished gathering place for four generations. She stayed closely bonded with her loved ones until the day she passed. Her warmth and engagement remained extraordinary as she aged, and even her great-grandchildren looked forward to visiting; she was truly exceptional at connecting with people and making them feel valued. Her light shined bright, and she couldn’t help but uplift those around her.

Those who knew LaPrele remember her as warm, loving, quick to laugh, resilient, hardworking, generous, forgiving, unselfish, and big-hearted. Her family is proud and grateful for the legacy of love and creativity that she has left behind and they will miss her dearly.

A visitation for LaPrele will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3400 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102. A funeral service will occur Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, 3400 W Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89102. A graveside service will occur Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Palm Eastern Cemetery, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123.