Donald Edward LaBlanc's Obituary
Donald Edward LaBlanc, 90, a native of Park Falls, WI passed away December 7, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital. He was a resident of Carriage Court Assisted Living in Memphis. Donald attended Superior State College and the University of Wisconsin where he played football, basketball, and boxed. He served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and infantry officer and saw action during WWII and the Korean War. When Lt. LaBlanc’s squad was ambushed in Korea, he was badly wounded and subsequently was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart. While stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, he met his future wife, Cleo. They were happily married for 45 years. After leaving the military and receiving his master’s degree from Mercer University and a six-year certificate from the University of Georgia, he became a high school teacher and head basketball coach at Warner Robins (GA) High School. He was honored as Georgia Basketball Coach of the Year in 1961. In 1964, Don transferred to Savannah, GA where he continued to teach and coach. He soon moved into administration and served as assistant principal and principal at various schools. He retired in 1982 but kept his hand in teaching for a few more years serving as a professor of philosophy at Armstrong State College and Saint Leo’s College in Savannah. Don was preceded in death by his loving wife, Cleo; his parents, Joseph and Rose Koran LaBlanc; his sister Dorothy (Sister Renee); brother, Raymond; and granddaughter, Whitney Mayer. He is survived by his children, Susan Schaaf (Greg) of Germantown, TN, Diane Mayer (Jeff) of Big Canoe, GA, and Donald LaBlanc, Jr of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, Mark Schaaf (Sarah) of San Francisco, CA, David Schaaf (Ashley) of Portland, OR, Curt Mayer of Marrietta, Ga, and Laura Karshenboym (Zhenya) of Atlanta, GA; great granddaughters Hayley and Vivienne Schaaf of Portland, OR; and sister Jean Schleife of Eleva, WI. Private graveside services are planned at Beaufort National Cemetery, SC on Tuesday, December 11, 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Doctors Without Borders, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Memorial Park Funeral Home of Memphis has charge locally and Fox & Weeks Funeral Home has charge in Savannah, Georgia. Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, (901)767-8930, “Behind the Stone Wall”.
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