James LaFevre believed in the American dream and valued working hard and being fair, said his son, Jamie LaFevre.
Jamie LaFevre said his father was an extraordinary man with an extraordinary life. He would do anything for anyone, and always had a smile.
“He fought for this country. He loved this country and its Constitution,” he said. “He believed in freedom and self-enterprise.”
James LaFevre, 67, of Valparaiso, died Jan. 11. He was a lifelong area resident. He was a member of Hobart VFW Post 5365 and a member of the Portage Izaak Walton League.
He was a Vietnam War Army veteran and served in the USAR 12th Special Forces.
LaFevre spent his life overcoming obstacles, whether serving in Vietnam or battling cancer.
“Any obstacle in his life was met with the attitude ‘This is a wall I have to climb,’ not ‘How am I going to get over this wall?’” he said.
LaFevre said his father taught him to work for what he wanted.
“I wanted a dirt bike, he said I needed a job. At that age, I could only get a job delivering papers. I made enough to earn what I wanted, but not without (his) help,” he said. “He was there every morning, helping me organize and get the papers together, picking them up and distributing them with me.”
He traveled extensively through the United States and abroad.
“He went through a series of motor vans and Harleys. He rode through Canada, (rode) Route 66, down to Miami, the Keys. But his top spot was always Manchester, Tenn.,” where he had family, Jamie LaFevre said. “I don't think anything or anywhere he went could ever compare to the simple beauty of Tennessee.”
LaFevre said his father rose to any obstacle he faced.
“He would rise to any and every occasion, every obstacle, every challenge with an ease and determination that will forever motivate my life,” he said. “Jim LaFevre was an awesome man who left a footprint in many lives. He will be forever missed.”
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