Kenneth O. Lavergne

Kenneth O. LaVergne, “KO” age 77, passed away Wednesday, December 20, 2017.  He was born March 30, 1940 in Detroit, MI to Omer and Elizabeth (LaLonde) LaVergne.  Six years later he moved to Parma, OH where he made several lifelong friends.  While living in Parma, Kenneth excelled in sports.  He was an all-city in football, basketball, and baseball.  In 1988, he was inducted into the St. Ignatius Athletic Hall of Fame followed by the Parma/Cleveland Hall of fame in 1992.  In 1962, Kenneth graduated from Kent State on a four year baseball scholarship and was offered a try-out with the New York Yankees but was let go once he ruptured his spleen. That led him to start a 20-year career in the USAF, retiring as Lt. Colonel.  At that time, he was living in Derby, KS and went into real estate and soon opened his own real estate office.  While he was a real estate broker, he ran as a write in for mayor of Derby, winning on a Save the Trees ticket (there are not many trees in Derby, KS).  KO was mayor for two terms.  In 2000, he moved to Sebring, FL, sold cars and finally retired to play golf.  Above all, KO was a son that made a parent proud, a friend you could count on for a lifetime, a loving and devoted husband and father.  He had a way of always making people feel good about themselves.  He will be missed by all who knew him.    He is survived by his Wife – Mary R. LaVergne of Sebring, FL; Son – Tad LaVergne (Jennifer) of Derby, KS; Daughters – Danyel Darger (Thad) of Fisk Dale, MA; Tiffany Wells (Brian) of Derby, KS; Sisters – Carol Bare (Jack) – Black River, MI; Marybeth McMahan (Mike) of Grand Rapids, MI; 11 Grandchildren; and 1 Great Grandchild.

Family and friends are invited to any or all services.

A Memorial followed by a Celebration of Life will be held at the Madison Avenue Central Park, 512 E. Madison, Derby, KS on February 3, 2018 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM.

A Memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Avon Park, FL on February 16, 2018 at 10:00 AM.

There will also be a service at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Black River, MI on July 24, 2018.  Family and friends are invited to any or all services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC, 20090-6011, www.alz.org

Arrangements entrusted to:

Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home

4001 Sebring Parkway

Sebring, FL 33870

Online condolences may be left at:

www.stephensonnelsonfh.com