Thomas James La Chance

Tom was the son of Ella (Rahm) La Chance and Fred La Chance of Turton, and was married to Cleo (Galbreath) La Chance of Doland, South Dakota for 45 years until her death in 1999.

Tom grew up on the family farm east of Turton, until enlisting in the Navy during World War II and joining the fight in the Pacific. There he served as a Gunner's Mate on the USNS General G.W. Hahn, a troop transport ship participating in Operation Magic Carpet transporting troops back to the U.S. mainland.

After the war, Tom returned to farming, but he had fallen in love with California and its weather after visiting there before deploying overseas. So in 1959, he moved Cleo and his two young children Laurel and James there, where he became an electrician and maintenance mechanic. His love for South Dakota never waned, however, and he visited Turton and his extended family virtually every year for the rest of his life, living in his home on Ash Street during the summers after his retirement.

Tom is survived by two sisters, Bonnie La Chance of West St. Paul, Minnesota and Lillian Jibbens of Minneapolis. He was also the brother of Neva La Chance, Dennis La Chance, Evelyn "Mac" LaBrie, and Alice La Chance, who preceded him in death.

Tom left a wonderful legacy of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His three children, Laurel Rhodes, James La Chance and Jon La Chance; grandchildren Leslie Yingling, Erica Giles, and Travis La Chance; and great-grandchildren Martin Yingling, Evan Giles, Brady Frazier, Luke Yingling, Samantha La Chance and the most recent addition, Thomas James La Chance, born June 8, 2015, whom Tom got to meet a few weeks ago.