LaRoy "Bud" Ralph LaVernway Jr.

Obituary for LaRoy “Bud” Ralph LaVernway, Jr. LaRoy “Bud” Ralph LaVernway, Jr., a proud veteran of the U.S. Marines, died on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at the Hospice of West Alabama after a five-week hospitalization. He was surrounded by many of his beloved family members at the time of passing, and went peacefully in his sleep. He was 86 years old. The son of LaRoy Ralph LaVernway, Sr. and Margaret Cecelia LaVernway (née Oswald), Bud grew up in Chicago, Illinois. He was born on July 8, 1936. Later, in 1954 at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines, where he thrived. As fate would have it, he was assigned to an administrative role rather than a combat role. He used to love telling people he was a “trained killer,” then would chuckle and finish by saying, “yeah, of flies, gnats, and mosquitoes!” Jokes aside, he had an exemplary military career that spanned close to eleven years. During his service, he received three separate good conduct medals. His favorite duty station was in Okinawa, Japan, which he found beautiful. Ironically, despite being a Marine, he suffered terribly from seasickness and would never willingly board a boat. Due to his widowed mother needing him to help run the family business, “Bud” reluctantly left the service in October of 1965. At this time, he met his wife of 32 years, Lorraine Patricia LaVernway (née Krueger). Their first date was the Marine Ball in November, 1964. They were inseparable until Lorraine’s death in November, 1995. In the late 60s, with a young family, he left Chicago and moved to Arizona to start a career with Pitney Bowes, a company that is still the industry leader in postage meters. This career spanned decades and took his family to Arizona, California, Wisconsin, and, ultimately, to Georgia where he retired in the 1990s. He was an avid golfer all his life, and also refereed youth soccer for years while his son, Mike, was involved in the sport. He also loved music, especially that of the 70s. During that time, he would introduce himself with a charming smile and the announcement that, “Bud’s the name, disco’s the game!” It is only with extreme reluctance his daughter, Deb, is leaving that slogan off his tombstone. During retirement he volunteered at a free health care clinic in Northport, Alabama. He was quite a character, and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. “Bud” was preceded in death by his parents, LaRoy Ralph LaVernway, Sr. and Margaret Cecelia LaVernway of Chicago, Illinois; his wife, Lorraine “Lori” Patricia LaVernway of Conyers, Georgia; and his sister, Darlene Faul of Chicago, Illinois. He is survived by his son, Michael Ralph LaVernway (Traci), of Lawrenceville, Georgia; daughter Deborah Ann Sims (Tom) of McCalla, Alabama; and son, Ricky Lane McDonald, of Leesburg, Georgia; grandchildren Kyle LaVernway and Lauren LaVernway-Lovin of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Nicole Busby and Kristen Busby, of McCalla, Alabama; James F. Hogan, Jr., of Miledgeville, Georgia; Ricky Lane McDonald, Jr. of Albany, Georgia; and Dustin “Dusty” James McDonald (Candace), of Leesburg, Georgia; great-grandchildren Reese, Parker, Wesley, and Austin McDonald of Albany, Georgia, and Carlie Laine McDonald of Leesburg, Georgia; nieces Jean S, Djidich-Molinelli (Mario) of Chicago, Illinois, and Mariann Djidich of Chicago, Illinois. A service honoring the life of “Bud” LaVernway will be held at the McCalla Memorial Funeral Home, located at 4780 Letson Farms Pkwy, McCalla, AL 35022, on Sunday, June 25, 2023. Visitation will take place from 1:00-2:00 p.m., with the funeral service following immediately after visitation. Rev. Monica Harbarger will preside over the funeral. Informal celebration of life to follow the funeral at Wild Rose Farm in McCalla. “Bud” will be interred at the Alabama National Cemetery with military honors at a later date (family participation only).

LaRoy "Bud" Ralph LaVernway Jr.

July 8, 1936 - June 18, 2023