John A. LaFond, community and military leader, died suddenly at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue on Nov. 18, 2007, at the age of 70. John was born Jan. 12, 1937, in St. Paul, Minn., to Clarence and Evelyn (Whitrock) LaFond. He was raised in White Bear Lake, Minn. His father worked for the railroad and the family moved to New York, where John attended the Christian Brothers Academy in Albany.

Following high school, John entered the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1959 with his Bachelor of Science degree. He was married to Carole Palmer on June 6, 1959 in Baltimore, Md. He received his commission as an ensign and was assigned to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard as an engineer. He was then sent to Troy, N.Y., and Rensselaer Poly Tech, where he received his second Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.

The Navy sent John to Brunswick, Maine, Memphis, Tenn., and Baltimore, before he was transferred to Vietnam with a Seabees Naval Construction Battalion. Returning to the states, John was stationed at Norfolk, Va. for a four-year tour. He went on to spend the next four years at the Defense Depot in Ogden, Utah. While in Utah, John completed his Masters of Business Administration at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.

In 1974, John was sent to NAS Whidbey Island, where he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of Public Works. John retired as a Commander in June of 1979.

Upon retirement John immediately obtained a position with Skagit Valley College, teaching business, accounting, and economics. Twenty years later he retired as Chair of the College’s Business Department.

John also ventured into politics as a city councilman for Oak Harbor. He spent 12 years on the council, working on numerous issues and serving with multiple committees. He was a representative to the Economic Development Council. John was considered a “voice of reason” during discussion on the important items that came before the City Council. Following his departure from the council, John took a more active role in the Economic Development Council where he served as board president.

John and his family developed a passion for skiing while in Ogden. They also took many camping trips throughout Utah and the West. John was a strong supporter of his children in school and all of their endeavors including coaching Little League teams. He allowed each of his children to find their own way in life. John’s greatest strength was his faith. He was a long-term member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, serving as lector and working with the monthly Pancake Breakfast Committee.

John and Carole were charter members of the Oak Harbor Yacht Club with John serving as Commodore. He developed a love for sailing as a child on White Bear Lake and that love continued as he operated his racing sailboat and participated in Race Week every year since 1982. John loved to travel the U.S. and Europe. He and Carole completed a 5,000-mile journey across many of the Western states this past year. John also had a great passion for cars, owning over the years a 1964 Corvette Stingray, classic Thunderbird, Trans Am, and his latest, a 1999 Corvette Stingray and a 1988 Ferrari Testarossa.

John is survived by his wife of 48 years, Carole at the family home; by three children: Ron LaFond and wife Rebecca Sorlien of Roseville, Minn., Michael LaFond and wife Diana of Berlin, Germany and Sandy LaFond Helgeson and husband Don of Kirkland; and grandchildren, Benjamin and Amelia LaFond and Ryan and Maret Helgeson. One brother Peter LaFond of Redmond, Wash., and three sisters, Jean Gerlach of Loveland, Colo., Mary Gregory of Dearborn Heights, Mich., and Nancy Brown of Northville, Mich., also survive.

Funeral Mass for John LaFond will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor with Father Philip Raether as Celebrant. Full military honors will follow under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation Chapter, 809 E. Chestnut Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.