Doss Gladwin LaRocque

LaROCQUE, Doss Gladwin -- Age 88, of Fenton, died December 23, 2007. A Memorial service for Doss and Sylvia LaRocque will be held at 11 AM Friday, December 28 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Fenton Chapel, 1000 Silver Lake Rd., Fenton, Pastor Todd Smith officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be from 10 AM until the time of service Friday. Those desiring may make contributions to the Alzheimers Association. Interment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in the Spring. Mr. LaRocque was born March 7, 1919 in Turner, MI. He was a graduate of Flint Central High School. He married Sylvia Perry on September 9, 1944 in Flint and she preceded him in death January 30, 2004. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving in WWII. He was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Tennessee and was a survivor of the attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor. He served in the South Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Libra and was present at many major battles with the South Pacific Theater. He was awarded numerous service medals including the Silver Star for 5 campaigns in the Asiatic Pacific Theater, the Phillipine Liberation Ribbon, and the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal. Mr. LaRocque was a Champion battleship boxer and involved in the Flint Golden Gloves Organization. He retired from G.M. Ternstedt in 1980 with 35 years of service. He had resided in the Flint and Clio area for 50 years, then Ellenton and Sun City, FL, and most recently had resided in Fenton/Parshallville. He was a former member of many years of the Clio Country Club, former member of the Flint Power Squadron, and member of the Pearl Harbor Survivor Association. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, sailor and golfer (having had 2 hole-in-ones.) Surviving are: two sons, Christopher and wife Cheryl of Fenton, Brian G. and wife Pamela of Sarasota, FL; two grandchildren, Nicole and husband Bryan Bartell, Michelle and husband Greg Pietraszkiewicz; five great-grandchildren, Delanie, Marina, and Bryan James Bartell, Bailey and Madelyn Jennifer Pietraszkiewicz; two step-sisters, Betty Davis and Wilma O'Neil; step-brother Robert La Rocque, all of California; special cousins, Clarence Evitts and Catherine Evitts. He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Edson and Mary Templeton; granddaughter Jennifer LaRocque; and wife Sylvia. Tributes and condolences may be shared at the obituaries page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com. The family extends a special thanks to all of Doss' and Sylvia's caretakers especially Dr. Gary King and staff.