Stanley Joseph LaGory

Stanley J. LaGory, 93, of Chicago, formerly of Cincinnati, passed away April 30, 2012. Beloved husband of the late Mary, Nee Hetteberg; loving father of Dennis (Ann) and Michael (Ellen); cherished grandfather of Alex (Hannah), David (Shannon) and Patrick; dear brother in law of Betty and preceded in death by six brothers and two sisters; fond uncle of many.

Mr. LaGory was born in the family home near Gest Street, in Cincinnati, in 1919. He graduated from Roger Bacon High School in 1937. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and was stationed in England, where he served as flight engineer on a B-17. He flew 35 combat missions over France and Germany, including several on June 6, 1944. Among the many decorations he received for his service was the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Upon returning home to Cincinnati after the war, he was employed as a commercial artist by RKO Studios. He attended classes at University of Cincinnati, where one evening at the Newman Club, he met and fell in love with Mary Hetteberg. They were married in October 1948 and settled down in Florence, Kentucky.

In 1949, Mr. LaGory joined Ford Motor Company as a test driver. In 1954, Ford transferred him to Livonia, Michigan. There, he worked in Ford's engineering lab and was instrumental in the development and refinement of the "Fordomatic" transmission. Upon retiring in 1985, Mr. LaGory returned to Cincinnati, where he lived until 2010, when he became a popular resident of Friedman Place in Chicago.

Mr. LaGory was a lifelong Reds fan who, now that he is in Heaven, is doubtlessly lobbying the Diety and Saints to intervene with the Hall of Fame voters on behalf of Pete Rose.

Visitation Thursday, May 3rd at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western Ave., Chicago and Saturday, May 5th, 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 2853 Erie Ave., Cincinnati. Entombment St. Joseph Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friedman Place, 5527 N. Maplewood Ave., Chicago, IL 60625 or www.friedmanplace.org. Arrangements under the direction of Drake & Son Funeral Home, 773-561-6874 and Schmidt Dhonau Kucner Funeral Home, 513-948-1113.