Richard Allen Lafuze

Richard "Dick" Allen LaFuze, 59, of Haines City, Florida, passed away Thursday, October 26, 2017, at Heart of Florida Hospital in Haines City, Florida. He was born July 28, 1958 in Greenville, a son of the late Charles LaFuze and Lorene (Cook) Vasquez.

A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Rich served our country honorably for 23 years. He had received many awards for his excellent service in the Air Force. The most prestigious award was being named the Airman of the Year for outstanding achievements through out the entire Air Force. Rich loved teaching others and being a mentor and helping make other people's lives better. He had several small businesses throughout his life. Most of all, Rich loved to be with his wife, daughter and son-in-law and especially his dog, Jorgie.

Rich is survived by his wife of 41 years, Cheryl " Pinky" (Scheiding) LaFuze of Haines City, Florida, whom he married August 7, 1976; his daughter and son-in-law, Chasity (Larry) Graves, of Fort Walton Beach; Florida; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary (Amy) LaFuze of Winchester, Indiana, and John (Carey) LaFuze of Florida; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Joan Mangen of Alabama and Shirley (Greg) Wampler of Ansonia; several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, November 3, 2017 at Oliver Floyd Funeral Home in Greenville. Burial will be at a later date in Greenville Township Memorial Gardens.

Friends may visit Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105 or Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 440 Fifth Ave North, Seattle, Washington, 98109.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.oliverfloyd.com