Obituary of Lawrence "Butch" D. LaParr

OSWEGATCHIE – Lawrence "Butch" D. LaParr, age 66, of Oswegatchie, passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2015 at his home. Calling hours will be at French Family Funeral Home, Star Lake on Friday, January 1, 2016 from 1 – 3 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com. Butch was born on January 31, 1949 in Watertown to the late Hilton Albert and Yvonne Julia (Derouin) LaParr. He attended the Harrisville Central School and served in the United States Marine Corp during Vietnam from 1967 until his honorable discharge in 1970. Butch received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and the RVN Cross of Gallantry with palm. He was proud of his service and attended an annual Vietnam Veteran Reunion with the Alpha Company. Butch married Mary Ann Pelno on February 11, 2006. Two previous marriages ended in divorce. He worked as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for several construction companies as well as working underground for St. Joe Mineral Co. for 16 years. While he and Mary lived in Alaska, Butch was a maintenance specialist for the Ilisagvik College in Barrow. Butch was a great carpenter who could fix and build anything. He was always willing to help others, to talk politics, hunt, fish and go boating. Butch was a creative person and used to enjoy making maple syrup and producing cedar oil and logs. He enjoyed playing golf and loved saving animals that needed his help. His survivors include his wife, Mary; daughters, Angel (Kermit) Rice and Jane (Thomas) Wiers; step-daughter, M.J. (Bill) Cloe; 8 grandchildren and eight siblings. He is predeceased by his parents; a son, David Wade LaParr; a brother, Gary LaParr; and a sister, Ann LaParr.