Archie Armose La Bine, Sr., of Milpitas, passed away surrounded by family on May 17, 2021. He was 92. Born on July 19, 1928, in Trout Creek, MI, Mr. La Bine always dreamed about being in the service from a young age. His dreams became a reality in 1946 when he joined the U.S. Navy. The following year, he met his loving wife of 70 years, Rose Marie La Centra in Richmond, CA. The two married in 1949.
Mr. La Bine served in the Navy for six years. He was in the Fighter Squadron #194 on USS Valley Forge (CV-45). In December 1951, he received the Korean Service Medal Ribbon and Engagement Star for participation in combat operations in the boundaries of the Korean area. In May 1952, he was awarded a second Engagement Star for participation in combat operations against Communist China. Mr. La Bine also received the United Nations Service Medal Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the Navy, he began working for the Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Richmond, CA. In 1955, the Ford Plant and the La Bine family moved to Milpitas, CA. He worked on the assembly line and then transferred to the commercial paint department. Mr. La Bine eventually moved to the tool repair department (a skilled trade) where he worked till the Ford Plant closed in 1982. He eventually retired in 1983 after the Ford Plant was decommissioned. He continued to work for the next 10 years at Mervyn’s department store in Milpitas.
Mr. La Bine was a resident of Milpitas for 66 years and lived in the Sunnyhills neighborhood where he raised his five children: Archie Jr., Renee, Ricky, Michael, and Lisa. Family was the most important aspect of Mr. La Bine’s life. He always looked forward to every birthday and holiday because it meant he got to spend time with his family.
He will be forever lovingly remembered by his sister, Dorothy, sister-in-law, Agnes, children, grandchildren: Jarrod, Allie, Archie III, Michael, Loriann, TJ, Jessica, Lila, Norrah, Avery, Marnee, Michelle, Myla, Jeffery, and Dylan, great-grandchildren: Jesamine, Jaelen, Joseph, Trayvin, Tristan, Angelina, Kristian, Kayden, Chase, and Jaim, son-in-law Terry, and daughter-in-laws Carolyn and Lindi.
Mr. La Bine was predeceased by his wife, Rose Marie, parents, Medrick and Bernice, brothers, Tommy and Cecil, sister, Leota Miilu, son-in-law Dale Gibson, daughter-in-law Rosa, and grandson Clinton.
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