David Allen LaRoque
July 5, 1948 - February 20, 2019

David "Dave" LaRoque

David Allen LaRoque was born on July 5, 1948 to Theodore Nelson LaRoque and Margaret Mary (Nicodemo) LaRoque.  He and his sisters and brother, Wanda, Rose and Bobby grew up in Michigan and were always very close.  "Dave" attended Hazel Park High School.  Dave met Donna in 1965 and they married and had a beautiful daughter together, Renee. They were young and stubborn at that time and things didn't quite work out for these two, so they went their separate ways.  Years went by and they each lived their own lives, remarrying and doing the best they could.

In 1998, after 26 years of separation, Renee made a commitment to find her father. The moment they connected it was an instant bond and they soon came to realize how much alike they really were!  Intelligent, witty, a little stubborn, the same wide feet and those big, green eyes!  They became best friends and confidants for one another, and tried their best to make up for lost time.  Dave would often tell Renee, "I've done a lot of things wrong in my life, but I got it right with you."

As a twist, Dave and Donna reconnected after 42 years apart.  They remarried and were together until his passing.  He told Donna "I never stopped loving you."  What a story!

Dave always moved forward, making it a point to never allowing his past to define him.  He was a sheet metal worker by trade.  He was intelligent but not arrogant.  He was very well liked, but never cocky.  He loved to learn from others and he loved to teach.  He had a gift of making others feel important and special after knowing them for only a few minutes. He was respected and admired by those who knew him well, and he never met a stranger.  After he retired, he worked part time as a driver for Enterprise and became close to many of his co-workers.

Passionate about everything he did, he especially loved to hunt with his buddies at the cabin in Michigan. He was a bit of a gun aficionado, collecting, restoring and most recently building guns. He even designed his own insignia that was to be branded on the guns he built! He and "Uncle Lou", his best friend since the age of 7, have had many crazy adventures together, and we know Lou is missing his buddy.

Dave was a kid at heart and loved to have fun.  Some referred to him as "Crazy Dave" because of his shenanigans. He was larger than life; yet so strong and gentle.  He was a kind soul who touched so many lives.  His warm presence will be missed tremendously.

On Wednesday, February 20, 2019, Dave was called Home.  He was greeted above by his parents, brother Bobby and other family members, and also his beloved dog, "JB baby".  His life will continue to be remembered and celebrated by his wife, Donna LaRoque; his daughter, Renee LaRoque and her fiancé Stacey; his son Cameron Rogers and his husband Justin, his sisters Wanda Dennis and Rose Crowell, and her husband Larry; his granddaughter Leila, his loyal dog "Tatiana"; his nieces, nephews and close friends.  Dave's light will forever shine in our hearts.

Memorial donations can be made in Dave's name to St. Jude's Hospital and the Shriners' Hospital for Children.

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