Donald LaFontaine
Reverend Donald L. LaFontaine, age 79 and retired Major, USAF formerly of Jefferson City, MO peacefully entered into his Savior’s arms on Saturday, January 19, 2019. He passed at home surrounded by his beloved wife, Diane L. LaFontaine whom he was married to for nearly 59 years and their daughters; Dana LaFontaine Bernier (Gary Tapp) of Jefferson City and Donna Watts (Chris) of St. Louis. Don leaves a heritage of five grandchildren who respected and admired him. The children of Donna and Chris are Nathanael, Lauren and Anna Watts. Dana’s children are Allyson Diane Rose (Luke) of California, MO and Zachary LaFontaine Bernier (Allie Linder) of Columbia, MO.
Born February 17, 1939 to Thelma and Lawrence LaFontaine, Don was raised in Washington Park, Ill. He attended First Baptist Church Washington Park and at the age of 16 answered the Lord’s call to ministry and was ordained. It was at this church at the age of 15, he fell in love with the girl he would take as his bride in June 1960.
Don graduated from William Jewell College, Liberty, MO in 1960 and joined the United States Air Force in 1964. His service to his country led him to Viet Nam and across the Central and Southern United States. He retired in 1984. Don was already attending Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as he completed his military service. He graduated with a Masters in Divinity in May 1987. He began working with students as a campus minister for colleges in St. Louis. After moving to Jefferson City in 1988 to serve with the Missouri Baptist Convention as an Associate Baptist Student Union director he also served as interim pastor for several churches. In 2000 after giving ten years to the State of Missouri as a personnel analyst he retired.
Don attended church with his family and served faithfully in the local Southern Baptist Church wherever he was stationed. He was a deacon, choir member, Sunday School teacher, Grief Counselor, Bible Study leader, Volunteer Chaplain, Security Team Member and was always obedient to whatever capacity he was asked to serve. Don was a long-time member of First Baptist Church Jefferson City until their final move to Arnold, MO in 2014. Don was a loving husband to his wife, Diane, whom he adored, cherished and honored every day of his life. Diane cared for Don the past three years as his health declined. He was a vacation-loving, softball-playing, wise counsel giver, steadfast and tender Daddy to his daughters. Rest well with Jesus; your best friend, the lover of your soul, our Hope and Peace.
A committal service will be held Wednesday, January 23rd at 10:00 a.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery Chapel 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO 63125.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at 1:00 pm at First Baptist Church, 301 E. Capitol, Jefferson City MO 65101.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Kirkwood Baptist Church
211 N Woodlawn Ave, Kirkwood, MO 63122.
was proud to be a friend
rest in peace.
most devoted couple.
My heart breaks for all of you right now. But I know that Uncle Don loved the Lord more than anything. So lean on him for strength during this time. I love you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Susan and Mike
Remembering your family in prayer. What a blessing for each of you to have been loved by Don. What a blessing for Don to have been loved and cared for by you!
There’s no way a paragraph could express my thoughts about Don’s passing. He was a long time and good friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the family as they face this difficult time and life without him until that great reunion in Heaven.
Dearest Diane, Dana, Donna and families,
Your precious Don was an amazing man and more importantly, a man of God. His life leaves an indelible mark of profound love and faith upon so many whose lives he touched. How we cherish his impact upon our life! Don’s light shone so brightly. What a tremendous legacy and example for us all! May the God of all comfort strengthen you, bless you and keep you is our prayer.
With love & prayers,
Deborah and John Scott
Dear Diane, Dana, Donna,
You are in the midst of great suffering missing the one you loved. It even hurts me from apart. I am recalling the years when we were young and healthy. What a great time in St Louis. Two things that never changed was the love and commitment to each other and the honoring of the Lord in his heart and life. Cherish and talk about your memories. It will help. A great servant has gone home
Love and prayers. Betty
Dana and families, You have my deepest sympathies! I look forward to meeting your father one day! May the loving arms of Jesus wrap around you all and bring you comfort and peace.
Mr. Lafontaine was a great man of God, a loving father to Dana and Donna, and a wonderful husband to his wife. I know he will be missed here on earth, but we know as believers in Jesus Christ we will see each each other one day. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
My sympathy and understanding go with you in the days to come. If their ever was a man of faith, it was Don. Love you all.
So sorry to hear of my friend’s passing, but not sorry for him. He was a hero many ways: A soldier, a teacher, a preacher, a husband, dad, and granddad.
He was a hero of mine.
One of the funniest memories I have of Don is when we spent about 10 days together on mission in Paraguay in the early 90s. Upon finally seeing our crude and primitive dwelling after 4 hours driving into the country’s interior, with no clean water, no running toilet, no air conditioner, and primitive arrangements, I declared, “Don, this is probably just like Nam, huh?”
He looked down at me from over the top of his glasses and replied in a rather disdainful tone, “This is worse than Nam.”
We all busted out laughing, his keen dry sense of humor hitting our tired, worn out, souls with a lighthearted reality check.
Every thought I have of him is a good one. I can’t say that about everyone, but him I can. He was one of the good guys.
Love you all.
Diane, Dana, and Donna,
The Lord be with you and your family.
Remembering you in prayer.
Diane,
So sorry to hear about Don. He was a wonderful man who was devoted to his Savior, family and friends. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Tom and Betty
Don was a wonderful man who led a good Christian life. He is definitely with his Maker now. I give my deepest sympathy to Diane, Dana, Donna and their families. May you all find comfort in your many wonderful memories. God Bless!
I attended Charles L. Manners Grade School, Lansdowne Junior High School and East St. Louis High with Don. We were both Washington Park kids.
Don was a conscientious student with a wonderful kind demeanor. He had a beautiful singing voice.
I know Don will rest in eternal peace with his Lord and I pray wonderful shared memories will sustain his loved ones.