Harold Douglas Laprade

Harold (Doug) LaPrade

AKA Gabby

January 30, 1946 ? March 2, 2014

Having faith in the promises of Almighty God Doug stepped into the Heavenly Kingdom on March 2nd 2014. The Lord Jesus and angels are rejoicing at his arrival home. Doug is also being greeted by his wife of 24 years, Sandra Jones LaPrade; father, Edgar LaPrade; in-laws, Casey and Nadine Jones and Johnola Roe; brother, William (Pluck) LaPrade; sisters-in-law, Bea LaPrade, Sarah Jones, and Diane Brubaker as well as many saints who have made their arrival to the City of God. Doug leaves this side of eternity his wife, Judy Roe LaPrade; mother, Mildred LaPrade Flora and Lloyd; brother, James LaPrade; daughters, Bonita LaPrade and Allen Watson, Belinda LaPrade and Kameron Kitts; step-sons, Jim and Brandon Holtz; six grandchildren, Abigail Nelson, Jakob Watson, Ryleigh Watson, Taylor Kitts, Alaina Pendry, and Bryce Holtz. Doug has been honored to have his loving extended family sister-in-law, Brenda Jones and Eldon Bowman, brothers-in-law, Henry and David Jones, and Lewis Brubaker who have always been such a blessing in his life. When Doug and Judy married their family grew and Doug welcomed in new members of his family Dave and Pat Roe; sisters-in-law, Linda Roe and James McCoy, Susan Roe and DeWayne Steele, Jessica Roe and Mark Calighan, and Melissa Fraley; brothers- in-law, Charles Roe, Danny Roe, and Jim and Kelly Roe. Also, so many nieces and nephews that love him dearly. The Lord has blessed Doug and Judy with a wonderful church family who has been the hands and feet of Christ as they have worshipped together at Franklin Heights Baptist Church and Sunday school class of Curtis and Donna Adams. He also leaves this side of eternity so many people who have come to know and love his genuine heart and his wonderful sense of humor. His words of wisdom his Sunday school and Bible study friends loving tease him that it comes from the book of Dougereonomy. Doug has also kept a close relationship with a dear Coast Guard friend, Roy Brown and his wife Sharla that live in Illinois. Doug proudly served our great Nation in the US Coast Guard from 1965 ? 1969. He lived his life believing in God, family, and country. He worked at GE and several other jobs before opening his small engine repair business with his wife Sandra in 1979. They both also drove school buses for the Franklin County School System. Doug loved to ride his motorcycle and with Sandra traveled to many states as members of the Gold Wing Club. Later he would ride with his family and friends whenever the weather and time permitted. Doug and Judy also enjoyed to ride the four wheeler and playing with the grandkids in the back yard. For Doug there was no better time than sitting around enjoying sweet memories or making new ones with is family. He served the Lord faithfully at Franklin Heights Baptist Church as an Usher, Greeter, Children?s Church teacher, in the AWANA?s, and dedicated to their Sunday school class with his wife Judy. Doug was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be greatly missed. If you have had the opportunity to know Doug (Gabby) then you were blessed indeed. A casual celebration of Doug?s life will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Franklin Heights Baptist Church with Pastor Mark Griffith and Mr. Curtis Adams officiating. Interment will follow with military honors in Franklin Memorial Park. His family will receive friends 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Franklin Heights Baptist Church. Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Rocky Mount.