1950
2014
Dr. Rodney R. Lafon passed away Monday, May 12, 2014, at the age of 63. He was born in New Orleans on May 13, 1950, and has resided in Luling, LA for the past 34 years. He is survived by his beloved wife Joyce Connor Lafon of 39 years. He also leaves behind his mother, Yvonne Dauenhauer Lafon, sister Sharon Lafon Saia (husband Keith Saia) and niece Rhonda Sharon Thibaut. He was the son of the late Roy Henry Lafon. Dr. Lafon was retired from the St. Charles Parish Public School System after almost 40 years of service, 18 of which he presided as Superintendent of Schools. Relatives, friends and community members are invited to attend a Memorial Service to celebrate his life at the Edward A. Dufresne Community Center, 274 Judge Edward Dufresne Parkway, Luling, LA 70070, on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, from 4pm-8pm, with the official program starting at 5:30pm. The Funeral Service will be held at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70119, on Thursday, May 22, 2014, at 6pm. Visitation will be from 2pm-6pm. A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Charles Parish Public Schools Foundation Dr. Rodney Lafon Performing Arts Center Fund. Checks should be made payable to St. Charles Parish Public Schools Foundation with a note in the memo referring to the Dr. Rodney Lafon Performing Arts Center Fund. Donations may be mailed to the SCPPS Foundation at PO Box 389, Luling, LA, 70070 or https://npo.justgive.org/scpsfoundation . Condolences may be expressed online at www.schoenfh.com. Arrangements under the direction of Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, New Orleans, LA.
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May 22, 2014
Marthasue Smith
Joyce,
My heart is with you right now. I am so grateful that I got to see and hug Rodney a few weeks ago when he was playing in Covington. I will truly miss the pure joy he always carried wherever he went.
May 21, 2014
jewel comiskey barbier
I am very saddened to hear of the loss of such a wonderful dear man. A fantastic trumpet player and a man who knew how to make things happen and get things done the right, best way. We have lost a treasure one of our Warren Easton Eagle's. God's blessings be upon your family and friends during this very sad time.
May 21, 2014
DOUG McINTYRE
Joyce, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. If there is anything I can do for you and Rodney's family please let me know.
May 20, 2014
Peggy and Sidney Ayala
We were so very saddened to hear of Rodney's passing. He was bigger than life and always had time to help or just to listen. I walked through the office yesterday and could feel his spirit. From back rubs to YOU AND I WE ARE ST. CHARLES PARISH PUBLIC SCHOOLS you will be sadly missed by all. Rest in peace.
May 19, 2014
Denny LeBoeuf
Rodney was Charlie Brent's best friend; they made a lot of great music together. Charlie said that all you needed was one meeting with Rodney, and you knew he could be trusted with anything you had – “your money and your secrets”. Charlie wrote an instrumental for him, called “My Good Friend Rodney”. Joyce, thank you for letting us all watch your perfect love story. I hope you find some comfort in the music and the memories.
May 19, 2014
Beverly Farris
Sharon, I am so sorry to read about the passing of Rodney. Prayers for you & your Family, to find peace & comfort in God's healing.
May 19, 2014
Valerie & Skip Weisser
We were blessed to have Rodney in our lives and so greatful to have seen Rodney and you a few weeks ago in Las Vegas. Wishing to have spent more time with you but Rodney's infectious smile will always shine in our minds. Glad to have him on tape on Skip's show. Will send a copy to you in the near future. Much love and prayers coming to you from Skip and Val. Wish we could be there but we are there in spirit. Our Deepest Condolence,
Val and Skip Weisser
May 19, 2014
To Rodney's Family,
We had the privilege of working with Rodney in St. Charles Parish many years ago. He was fun, loving and a great colleague. Our prayers are with the family.
Carol Ducote & Mary Vedros
Baton Rouge, LA
May 19, 2014
Blannie Curtis
Rodney lived life to the fullest; his joy and enthusiasm for family, friends, work, and play were an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to be touched by him, encouraged by him, and honored to be his friend. He will be deeply missed.
May 18, 2014
Paula Sattler
Joyce,
I am so sorry. I have fond memories of Rodney stopping by to visit our office, always with a smile on his face, friendly, and asking how I was. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
May 18, 2014
Our hearts ached at the news of losing Rodney, but our memory of his smile assures us that he will always be with us. Rodney will be missed by so many beyond the St. Charles Parish community. I will remember him as a true friend, colleague, and fellow learner, as well as a leader/mentor during his time with us. But most of all, his smile, his disarming personality, his passion for life, and his unwavering advocacy for children still live on. Joyce, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Rodney, take your well-deserved rest, my friend.
Roland and Belle Chevalier, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana
May 18, 2014
jerry leonard
Joyce,
As you know Rodney and I worked together for more than 30 years. He was a hard working fine musician and friend. He was always willing to pitch in and help even though he was Superintendent, he was just one of the men on the Bandstand. I never heard anyone say anything bad about Rodney and that is quite a legacy in itself. He was very Goal Oriented and I am sure he would have been successful as Leader of the Orchestra had he not become ill. I could tell at our last lunch on April 26th he was not feeling all that great but he was still optimistic and planning on the future.
He forged ahead and went on the Cruise,
thats the Rodney I knew and loved.
I will miss him very much as will many others..I hope you find the courage to
sustain your loss
So sad...so very sad
May 16, 2014
Mrs. Marilyn Scott
To the Lafon Family
I sit and I ponder , what should I say
Then it came to me in the middle of the day. It speaks about the Measure of a Man , not how he died but how he lived. Dr. Lafon lived his life through ten of thousands lives each day. Not only through the children of St. Charles Parish Schools, but adults also.He was our Supertindent, and an awesome role model. Hearts have been broken , tears have been shed.I say to you all remember Rodeny's smile and what he stood for : NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND . This is his legacy that we must carry on. Rest Rodney you've earned your wings.
May 16, 2014
Joyce, Rodney was a dear, dear friend for a very long time. I breaks my heart to hear this sad news. My prayers are with you and the family.
May 16, 2014
Leo Holzenthal
I was absolutely stunned and so deeply saddened to learn about Rodney...so is Gabriel retiring and needed someone to take his place? Joyce, Sharon, Mrs Lafon...my thoughts and prayers are with you.
May 16, 2014
Kenneth Colley
Joyce, Judy and I are deeply saddened, having know Rodney for over forty years I can honestly say I have never seen him when he didn't have a smile on his face and a warm welcome for everyone he met. He was a true Southern gentleman that will be sadly missed by all that knew him. Rest in peace my good friend.
May 16, 2014
B Boudreaux
A memory I'll never forget...
Dr Lafon was at Steve Crovetto's home eating boiled crabs, he sat down beside me and commented how well I could peel crabs and that he was impressed, because he's seen many who don't know how to peel them. He was a nice man, and a dear friend of my brother-in-law "Cro".
May 14, 2014
Bobby Ohler
Joyce,
The news of Rodney's passing saddened my heart to the core. While I claim him as a close and lifelong friend, so many others were equally endeared to Rodney, his energy and enthusiasm, personality, leadership, committment, and caring.
What can any of us say? The best I can do is to offer you a short poem I wrote when our daughter died suddenly and tragically. I give it to friends and clients who suddenly, unexpectedly, or tragically lose a loved one. I hope it provides some peace for you.
Bobby Ohler and with love from Sue
On Peace for the Bereaved
What can be said at times like these,
when life deals a blow which brings us to our knees
Suffering so deep it strikes the core of our being,
causing thoughts and questions of life's very meaning
Pain so acute it consumes and wrenches,
saddness so poignant it numbs the senses
We carry our cross because of man's sin,
but God conquered death, salvation is through Him
And peace can be found in faith, hope and love,
virtues which bring divine healing from above
May 14, 2014
Madelyn Howe Corkern
Dr.Lafon taught me to play clarinet in 5th grade at what was then, St.Rose Primary (now ACM). He was an awesome teacher and wonderful mentor to me. He will be missed.
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