Donald James (Don) LaRocque passed away Saturday, July 18, 2020, at the Beehive in McCleary, Washington at the age of 77. Don was born to Arthur and Aletta LaRocque in Bottineau, North Dakota, on Aug. 13, 1942. The family moved in 1944 to Aberdeen, Washington, to which Don would always proudly add “Southside”!
During his high school years, he met Diane Fleming at a Friday night Hoquiam YMCA dance. Years later, they renewed their friendship which led to their marriage on July 26, l971, in Reno, Nevada. Don was instantly transformed from a proud and loving father of three children to that of six!
As a teenager, he set pins manually at the old Aberdeen Bowling alley which began his lifelong passion for bowling. He belonged to both the Hoquiam and Aberdeen Bowling associations which gave him the opportunity to participate in state and national tournaments. He also belonged to the Moose Lodge and the Aberdeen Eagles. Other hobbies and activities he enjoyed were fishing, clam digging, camping, hunting, golfing and dancing.
Don was well known for his own special sense of humor and gentle heart. He liked to kid around and enjoy life to the fullest! He truly cherished his friendships with others everywhere he went. He was a strong family man and loved spending time with family any time he could, including special road trips to North Dakota as a child and with his own family years later.
Don graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1960. After graduation he went to work for ITT Rayonier, becoming a journeyman pipefitter. He was there for 32 years until the mill closed. He then worked for Posey Manufacturing Company for five years. The next nine years were spent with Northwest Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 26 working as a traveling pipefitter throughout Western Washington, retiring in August of 2006.
Upon retirement, summers were spent in Washington with family and friends; winters in Yuma, Arizona and at Torre Blanca in Puerto Marqués, Mexico, which was his personal paradise and his favorite place in the world! Don was fortunate to have traveled extensively in Mexico also traveling to Guatemala, Belize, Spain and Africa.
Don is survived by his wife of nearly 49 years, Diane LaRocque of Elma, Washington; son, Don LaRocque Jr. (Lauri) of Aberdeen; daughters, Terri Brophy (Dave) of Mukilteo, Washington; Tracy Miller (Steve) of Olympia, Washington; Lisa Bond (Michael) of Mansfield, Ohio; and Krisi Dixon of Elma; grandchildren Jeff LaRocque of Aberdeen, Erin Berg (Kevin) of Montesano, Washington, D.J. Abshire of Olympia, Washington, A1C Colby Dale of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Kasey Dale of Mukilteo, Sydney Dixon of Olympia and Morgan Bond of Mansfield; great-grandchildren Ethan LaRocque, Maycie LaRocque, Kyler Berg and Ellie Mefford; as well as numerous special aunts, uncles, cousins and the Garcia family of Puerto Marqués, Mexico.They were all such a special part of his life.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Aletta LaRocque, and daughter Jill Warner.
Any memorials in honor of Don can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary in Aberdeen. To share memories or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com.
There is no service planned at this time.
