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- Donald George LaPress, Sr. of Ransomville, NY, loving husband and father of six children, passed away at the age of 78 in Lewiston, NY on Sunday, February 16, 2020.
Donald was born on April 26, 1941 in Niagara Falls, NY to Charles and Lyla (Reid) LaPress. He grew up in the Town of Niagara and attended Trott Vocational School. He began his career working at Hasely Farms, Olivera Lumber and a couple of years in Oregon building the Dalles Dam. He returned to Niagara County and worked simultaneously at the Niagara Country Club and Carborundum for 14 years. In his later years, he assisted his sons with a small firewood business. On August 16, 1969, he married Linda Ruth Schmidt. Don and Linda had six children, Donald Jr., Charles, Joey, Jodie, Amy and Tracy.
Big D had a passion for the outdoors, hunting, cooking and his family. He was an avid hunter with a zest for cooking and growing his own vegetables. He rarely missed an opportunity to spend quality time with his family. Even rarer was a missed clay at the trap range. His favorite pastimes were shooting trap, skeet and pistol at North Forest, Niagara Country, 3F, and LaSalle Sportsmen Clubs. He won many Top Gun competitions and shoot outs. Regardless, Big D was a huge, strong, intimidating man with a kitten-like interior which reflected in his love for his family, his greatest accomplishment. Poppy absolutely adored his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and never forgot to mention how proud he was of all of them.
Donald was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Norman, and sister-in-law Marie (Hasley).
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda, and his six children: Donald Jr. (Diamantina) LaPress of La Feria, TX, Charles (Mary) of Greenville, SC, Joe (Kris) LaPress of Lancaster, CA, Jodie (Alan) Neadow of Ransomville, NY, Amy (LaPress) (Lonnie) Thoms of North Tonawanda, NY, and Tracy (Chris) Mallon of North Tonawanda, NY. Additional survivors include his brother, Charles of Grand Island, NY; brothers-in-law, Albert Schmidt of Allentown, NY and David (late Donna) Desso of Wilson, NY; several cousins, nieces, nephews, 16 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
After an anatomical gift to the University of Buffalo, Donald will be cremated according to his wishes. A Celebration of Life is planned for March 21, 2020, at 10 AM at Ransomville Free Methodist Church, 3924 Ransomville Road, Ransomville, NY 14131, with a luncheon for all to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association or the Ransomville Fire Company.
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1941 - 2020 (78 years)