Edward A. ‘Bud’ LaVallee, 85, of Fort Smith, died October 4, 2013 in Fort Smith. He was born December 30, 1927, in St.Louis, MO to the late Edward and Edna Kohl LaVallee. Bud served in the United States Army and United States Air Force (regular, reserve and Air National Guard) from 1944 to 1987. He attained the rank of Chief Master Sergeant (E-9) with 26 medals and ribbons. He received the “Arkansas Traveler” certificate from then Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. He also served as Senior Enlisted Adviser to the State of Arkansas. John Paul Hammerschmidt presented him a flag which flew over our nation’s capitol upon his retirement on November 11, 1987. Bud was a Life Legacy (Gold) member of Veterans of Foreign War, a Life Member of Disabled American Veterans and a member of the American Legion. He was a Life Member of the River Valley Pro-Am Golf Association, a Life Member of the Fort Smith Bowling Association, and elected to the Fort Smith and Arkansas Bowling Hall of Fame. Bud was also a member of Chapter 996 and Council 025 of the Knights of Columbus (3rd and 4th degrees), a Life Member of the Top Enlisted Association, Life Member of the V.F.W. National Home for Children and Life Member of the Military Order of Cooties. Bud served as Past Quarter Master and Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 8845 and Past District #7 Commander and Past State Commander of the Veterans of Foreign War. He also served as Past Grand Commander, Past Chief of Staff for the 14th District Supreme and current State Grand Quartermaster for the Military Order of Cooties. He is survived by his wife, Molly of the home; his children, son Michael Edward LaVallee and his wife Kathryn, of Tulsa, OK; daughter Terry Lynn Tompkins and her husband Ron, of Topeka, KS; and son David C. LaVallee and his wife Donna of Lavaca, AR; step children: Terri Kimble of Fort Smith, Cindy Richmond of Howe, OK, Stacey Waggoner of Poteau, OK, Ed Homan of Howe, OK and Paul England of Belton, TX; five grandchildren: Timi D. LaMore, Joyce Krom, Shawna Crippen, Justin Stilwell and C. Amber Alder; twelve great grandchildren, as well as nine step grandchildren and seven step great grandchildren and his brother, Kenneth LaVallee and his wife Phoebe of St. Louis, MO. Bud was preceded in death by his first wife, Joyce Nell LaVallee, his sister, Shirley Rausch and a brother, George LaVallee. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00am Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Fort Smith National Cemetery with military honors provided by the 188th Fighter Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard. Rosary will be 7:00pm Tuesday, October 8, 2013 at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be prior to the Rosary from 5:00-7:00pm Tuesday at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel. Pallbearers will be Gary Wellesley, Terry Callahan, Todd Willey, Johnny Gothard, Patrick Flenniken and Scott Bramlett. Honorary pallbearers will be Department V.F.W. members. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the V.F.W. National Home for Children, 3573 South Waverly Rd., Eaton Rapids, MI 48827. To view an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.
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