John Labree

Mr. John E. La Bree passed away at the age of 98, on October 26, 2014. He was born in Bemidji Minnesota, August 14, 1916, where he spent his early years. After the Depression his family moved to Seattle, Washington where he remained until the war. After the war he lived in the Washington DC area before he moved to Hobbs. He was a resident of Hobbs for 31 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents James Edward La Brie and Olga Shulstad Johnson La Brie, one Brother George Elmer La Bree, three sisters Jeanette Ruby La Bree, Barbara Ann La Bree, Wanda Hazel La Bree Thomas. He is survived by his wife, of 68 years, Michelle V. La Bree, one son Judge, Craig J. La Bree and his wife Rita M. La Bree, one brother Robert W. La Bree, one sister Mary Lou La Bree Guion. Grandchildren: Jennifer Meister and Nathaniel Riley, Two Greatgrandchildren: Chloe and Pearl, and with multiple nieces and nephews.
John served in the United States Army during WW II, from June 1942 to November 1945. After the War he continued to serve his country until his retirement from the Defense Intelligence Agency He moved to Hobbs in 1982 and was active in his Church, Trinity Lutheran. John was passionate about music, and strived to help bring culture to Hobbs, by supporting many of our local Arts including the Southwest Symphony and helped establish an organization called the Golden Hobbits and helped with the Maciolek Fine Arts Scholarship Trust.
The family has requested that no flowers be sent. Instead donations can be sent to the Southwest Symphony, for the John E. La Bree Memorial, to P.O. Box 101, Hobbs, NM 88241.
Visitation is Friday, October 31, 2014 from 1:30 to 6:00 at Chapel of Hope. Services will be held Saturday, November 1 at Trinity Lutheran Church at 1 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel of Hope Funeral Home of Hobbs. www.chapelofhopefunerals.com

Visitation

Chapel of Hope
3321 N. Dal Paso
Hobbs, NM  88240
Friday, October 31, 2014
1:30 6 PM

Service

Funeral Service

Trinity Lutheran Church
718 W. Bender
Hobbs, NM  88240
Saturday, November 1, 2014
1:00 PM

Memorial Contributions

P.O. Box 101
Hobbs, NM  88240