Lawrence Melvin LaCoste

Lawrence Melvin LaCoste, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and brother in Christ slipped the bonds of earth and entered into the presence of his heavenly Father on Jan. 21. He was 79. Born one of seven children to Lawrence LaCoste and Paralee Merchant LaCoste in Century, Florida on Sept. 25, 1934, Melvin grew up helping his father on a small family farm. Their lives were humble – he recalled drawing water from the well because there was no running water in the house – but full of love. Melvin’s mother passed away when he was just 16 and as his four older siblings had already left home, Melvin cared for his younger brother Ronnie and baby sister Patricia. Despite his responsibilities, Melvin was a favorite and star athlete at Century High School, excelling in football and baseball. He met his wife, Vonnie Dunsford there, and the two married when he was just 18 and she 16. He attended apprenticeship school and learned to be an electrician. The trade took the young couple from Pensacola to New York City in the early 1950s where Melvin worked on the restoration of the Waldorf Astoria among other projects. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, they made their home where work took them: Utah, Idaho, California, Texas and Birmingham, Ala. With his easy manner, quick wit and penchant for teasing, Melvin made fast friends wherever he went. Back in Pensacola, Melvin partnered with his brother to form LaCoste Electric Company and later his own company Arc Electrical Contractors. He developed a reputation for fairness, loyalty and a superior work ethic and made many friends in the construction industry in Northwest Florida. Melvin and his family joined Smyrna Baptist Church in the early 1970s. The church was Melvin’s anchor in life. He served as Sunday School superintendent for 20 years and has served as chairman of the Board of Deacons for the past decade. He sang in the church choir and often sang solos during services. His clear tenor voice seemed impossibly sweet coming from a broad-shouldered man who topped 6-foot-three, and people were moved to tears hearing him sing his favorite songs, such as “Beulah Land”. Melvin also spent time volunteering at the Waterfront Rescue Mission, accompanying his pastor to sing hymns before the sermon. He never forgot his humble beginnings and his generosity knew no bounds. He has helped countless souls through the years – whether they were family members, church visitors or a homeless stranger passing through. Melvin was married to the love of his life for 61 years and never tired of kissing her and telling her how pretty she is. Melvin’s pride in his three sons, his daughter and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren were obvious to all who met him. He loved people and through his career and dedication to his church, touched hundreds of lives. Children were drawn to him and he always had a hug and candy to hand out for the Sunday School children at Smyrna. Wait staff at restaurants he frequented knew him by name and his habit of greeting girls and ladies with a “Hey Boy!” remains a source of great delight and amusement. He suffered a stroke in late 2012 and moved to the Health Center of Pensacola. Though he could only attend his beloved church infrequently, he enjoyed visits from his church family and his children and grandchildren. The twinkle in his eye and the smile on his lips remained to his last day. Melvin was bigger than life, both literally and figuratively. His passionate love for his wife and family, his unfailing dedication to his Lord and his true Christ-like, servant’s spirit will be remembered by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Vonnie LaCoste of Pensacola; his four children and 12 grandchildren: Skip LaCoste of Pensacola, wife Jean and children Kari, Joshua and Sarah; Tim LaCoste of Slidell, La., wife Vickie and children Megan Gulledge, and Leanne and Chantry Huffman; Scott LaCoste of Chumuckla, wife Mitzi and children Wyatt and Cameron LaCoste and Alexis and Nate Gentry; and Jenny LaCoste Caputo of Austin, Tx., husband Anton and children Dante and Lexi. He is also survived by three siblings: Elsie Allred of Century, Patricia Gibson of Ponchatoula, La.; and Ronnie LaCoste of Pensacola; eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Joshua LaCoste, Dante Caputo, Bruce Robertson, Danny Fuller, Marc Fuller, Mark Trinkle, Bryan LaCoste and Mike Jones. Honorary pallbearers are the deacons of Smyrna Baptist Church. Visitation will be held today from 6-8 p.m. at Faith Chapel North, 1000 S. Hwy. 29 in Cantonment. Funeral services are scheduled 10 a.m. Saturday at Smyrna Baptist Church, 7000 Pensacola Blvd., with interment to follow at Bayview Memorial Park, 3351 Scenic Hwy., Pensacola. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME NORTH, 1000 S. Hwy. 29, Cantonment, FL is in charge of arrangements.

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Lawrence Melvin LaCoste

September 25, 1934 - January 21, 2014