Charles Alford Laforge

Charles LaForge, 78, of Fort Dodge passed away January 16, 2013 at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. His wishes were to be cremated. A gathering of family and friends will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 19, 2013 at Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life reception will begin at 5:00 PM at the Lion's Den at Isaac Walton. Charles is survived by his sons, Charles A. III and wife, Barbara of Soldotna, AK; Hamilton and wife, Laura of Cary, NC; and daughter, Erin and husband, Virgil Nelson of Fort Dodge; five grandchildren, Shawna, Amanda, Tanner, and Alexa Nelson and Wade LaForge; great-grandchildren, Dax, Tessa, and Trystin; brother, Thomas LaForge of Marietta, GA. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Col. Charles and Frances LaForge and his wife, Joan. Charles Alford LaForge was born May 6, 1934 in Little Rock, AR. He attended various elementary schools and graduated from St. Charles Prepatory High School in Columbus, OH in 1952. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 1956 with a BS in Applied Mathematics. He served in the U.S Navy from 1956 through 1959 as a communications officer on the U.S.S Yorktown. Charles was united in marriage to Joan S. Scharf in 1959. After his honorable discharge from the Navy the couple established their home in Fort Dodge. He worked for U.S Gypsum for 36 years in various management positions, retiring in 1997. Charles loved reading and walking with his friends in the mall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Fort Dodge Public Library and the Blanden Memorial Art Museum of Fort Dodge.