Lon LaForce

Lon LaForce, 89, of Kingsport, passed away January 8, 2018 at Holston Valley Medical Center after a brief illness.He was born March 2, 1928, in Clinchfield, VA (Russell Co.), to the late Dewey and Grace Chaffin LaForce.Mr. LaForce retired from the Kingsport Press as a Pressman with 42 years of service.He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt and also loved to work in his yard. Mr. LaForce was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Kathleen Ketron LaForce; daughter, Carolyn Sue LaForce; grandson, baby boy Ledford; sister, Vivian Hurd and brothers, Cecil LaForce, Carl LaForce and Everett “Jim” LaForce.Surviving are his daughters, Kathy LaForce and Rena LaForce Wells; sons, Floyd Lynn LaForce and Lonnie LaForce; grandchildren, Melissa LaForce, Gary LaForce, Jason LaForce, David Wells, Christopher Wells and Matthew LaForce; several great grandchildren; sisters, Janice Helton and husband, Bill, Wanda Webb and husband, A.L., Joyce Owens, Carol Jean Watkins, Phyllis Williams and Frances Winebarger; brother, Wayne “Pete” LaForce and wife, Doris and several nieces and nephews.The family will receive friends from 1 – 2 pm Friday, January 12, 2108 in the Fireside Room at Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services.A Graveside Service will follow at 2:30 pm at Oak Hill Memorial Park in the Garden of Resurrection. Honorary Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Indian School, 301 N Main St, Chamberlain, SD 57325 or online at www.stjo.org/support‎ or St. Jude Tri-Cities Affiliate Clinic, 400 N. State of Franklin Road, Johnson City, TN 37604.The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to doctors and nurses on the 5th Floor ICU of Holston Valley Medical Center and doctors and nurses of Wellmont Hospice on Wilcox Hall.Online condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.oakhillfh.comThe care of Lon LaForce and his family has been entrusted to Oak Hill Funeral and Cremation Services.Read Obituary