Beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather Dimmick Joseph Lavergne passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 87 on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at the home of his daughter in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dimmick was born in Lawtell, Louisiana on June 4, 1931 to Clebert and Mabel Lavergne. Dimmick and his siblings William, Henry and Bonnie and cousin Linus were raised together on their family’s rice farm in Lawtell, Louisiana. His education was curtailed after the ninth grade to enter the military.
In 1948 at the age of 16, Dimmick added a year to his age and joined the Air Force to serve his country. A few years into his Air Force career, Dimmick found himself in Fontainebleau, France. One evening, at a military ball, he met the love of his life - Monique Charpentier from the nearby town of Barbizon, France. They were married at the village church in Barbizon on March 19, 1953.
Dimmick and Monique raised a family of four children together while Dimmick pursued his Air Force career. Dimmick and Monique traveled the world with Louisiana as their home base. Daughter Kathy was born in 1954 in Fountainebleau, France. Son Patrick was born in 1957 in Morgan City, Louisiana. Son Danny was born in 1959 in Weisbaden, Germany. Daughter Jackie was born in 1963 in Fairfield, California. Dimmick and Monique lived in France, Germany, Libya, Louisiana, California, and Texas. Dimmick had other solo assignments in Alaska and Thailand and a few other locations. Dimmick loved his children dearly and, along with Monique, was actively involved in their education and sports. Dimmick, or Grandpa, as those closest to him know him, was a quiet man of great integrity who cared deeply about his family. It was evident in everything he did, and we miss him dearly.
Military Career:
In 1948, Dimmick completed his basic training at Lackland AFB (Air Force Base) in San Antonio, Texas and moved to Lowry AFB in Denver to complete Tech School, where his handsome Air Force bomber jacket photo was taken. He then was sent to Cheyenne, Wyoming and on to his first active duty assignment in Kaufbeuren Germany, where he was selected to be part of the base basketball team. Later, his team defeated the French Olympic basketball team and he was the star player, #6. Later that year, he was part of the Berlin Airlift Mission. Dimmick worked at Bolling AFB in Washington DC, Keesler AFB in Mississippi, Brooks AFB in San Antonio, TX, Randolph AFB in San Antonio. From 1952-1955, Dimmick was part of the Allied Forces-Central Europe (AFCE) in Fontainebleau, France, where daughter Kathy was born.
From 1955-1957, Dimmick was stationed at Gary AFB in San Marcos, TX. His fluency in French allowed him to be a translator for South Vietnamese helicopter mechanics who spoke French, but not English. Next, he moved to Ellington AFB in Pasadena, TX. From 1957-1959 his career took him to Wheelus AFB in Tripoli, Libya, to work in the Inspector General’s Office and the Dependents’ Education Office. Monique stayed with family in Morgan City during this time, where son Patrick was born. His next assignment was in Wiesbaden, Germany, where son Danny was born. After that, he worked at Travis AFB in California for four years in Base Supply. Daughter Jackie was born there.
Dimmick was stationed in Ft. Yukon AFB in Alaska from 1967-1968, while Monique and the children stayed in Opelousas, Louisiana with family. One year later, he was transferred to ENT AFB in Colorado Springs, CO. Dimmick had one more international assignment in Bangkok, Thailand as a Chief Postmaster General. He developed a love of swimming there in his free time. In 1974, after Dimmick’s last Air Force Assignment at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, he retired from the Air Force.
Post-Military Career:
After his Air Force retirement, Dimmick, or “Frenchy,” as he was known then, worked for many years at Williams Chevrolet in Colorado Springs. Later he and a friend owned and operated a used car business, H&L Motors, for a few years, and after that he worked for Enterprise Rent-A-Car. He eventually retired completely. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren, cooking on his Bar-B-Q, golfing, boating, and following his favorite sports teams.
Family:
Dimmick is preceded in death by his brothers, Henry and William. He is survived by his beloved wife Monique, his sister Bonnie Comeaux, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren:
- Daughter Katherine Lavergne Czabaranek, grandchildren Nicholas John Czabaranek (spouse Juliet), Stephen Christopher Czabaranek (spouse Marielle) and Christina Katherine Mertz (spouse Andrew).
- Son Patrick Dimmick Lavergne (spouse Susan), grandchildren Christine Lavergne Links (spouse Travis), Alexander Patrick Lavergne, and Adrien Matthew Lavergne; great grandchildren Hunter Patrick Links, Bailey Grace Links and Brooks Howard Links
- Son Danny Joseph Lavergne (spouse Pam), grandchildren Taylor Wayne Lavergne, Ryan Neil Lavergne and Barrett Austin Lavergne (spouse Kristin), great grandchild Ryleigh Lavergne.
- Daughter Jacqueline Marguerite Goodman (spouse Tony), grandchildren Victoria Erin Goodman, Tony Dimmick Joseph Goodman, and Kacey Goodman Toney (spouse Derek); great grandchildren Knova Jean Toney, and Nevaeh Jaymes Toney
In lieu of flowers, our family requests that you consider making a donation to one of the following three nationally respected charities that serve veterans and their families, in honor of Dimmick Lavergne.
Gary Sinise Foundation
National Military Family Association
Operation Homefront
Contact info for Pat Lavergne - [email protected]
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