Alan Ladd
Alan, known as Big Al by his brother and friends, accomplished a great deal in his brief 31 years. He achieved honor roll through high school and the Dean’s list at UNC Chapel Hill, graduating with a BS degree in Biology, a minor in Chemistry.
His love of science led him into the field of Bio-Tech Research. His line of work took Alan to California. He packed his car and drove cross-country making frequent stops to enjoy natural sites and well known tourist attractions.
Alan’s great sense of adventure took him to Germany and Asia. He also enjoyed all types of music, especially Jazz. He enjoyed making his own music on his computer, playing the bongo drums, biking, hiking and camping.
I’ve often heard that the eyes are the window to the soul – and what a gentle soul he had. He never saw hate, color, or judged anyone.
Alan loved his life as he passed, giving. It was no surprise to learn that he was an organ donor. It gives his family some comfort in knowing someone is gazing for the first time into the face of a loved one, or just enjoying God’s creation itself.
Harold Lambeth
Thank you for letting me share with you a little about my husband and best friend, Harold Lambeth. He would have been so pleased that his eyes could be used in such a special way. Because of his congestive heart failure, then the spread of pancreatic cancer to his liver, lungs and kidneys, his eyes were the only organs that could be used. But I think how appropriate this was, especially the way he “saw” the world.
Harold loved all of God’s creation and creatures. He found such delight in watching nature in all its life and beauty. His quiet, gentle spirit and loving heart spilled over into his beautiful eyes, and you could just see how much he loved life. Through his eyes he watched for hours as the hummingbirds and finches would feed – see the otter that came to “visit” in our pond for a few weeks – the crane and the geese as well, who made their home with us for a while. The squirrels became his friends and gave him many hours of pleasure, especially as they tried their many “stunts” to get into the bird feeders! Fishing along the Outer Banks of NC was one of his greatest joys.
But most of all, he was truly thankful and felt so blessed to be a part of all the life around him and gave in return in so many ways. He accepted people just as they were, and was sensitive to their needs. He had a special relationship with his brothers and sisters, and was a loving husband, devoted father, and true friend to many. He indeed left a legacy of love, joy, laughter, and life to all of us who were so blessed to have been a part of his life.
Vicki Lambeth, wife
George Steven Lapas
George Lapas acquired wealth in a way everyone should, but few do. His wealth was counted in hundreds of “Selfless Acts of Kindness.” His very last act in this mortal world was an act of kindness. He donated his organs so that others may live, or have a better life. It was not something he had to do. Those who knew him were not at all surprised by his decision.
He had many interests. One was photography. Even this was an act of giving for him. He loved to give away his photos. His satisfaction came from the happiness he dispensed with his photos. His greater hobby was photographing his children and grandchildren, and then showing them to everyone while asking ”aren’t they beautiful?” He loved to spend time on his boat with his family and often spending the day fishing, or wandering the beach searching for shells. He occasionally sprinkled ‘store bought’ shark teeth in the sand for his daughters to find!
His other hobby was helping people. He gave food, money, housing, his time, his knowledge and himself to help anyone who needed it. He gave not for recognition or reward, but because he saw a need to help someone. He sought out the weak, powerless, mistreated and abused people in his word and gave them comfort, opportunity, encouragement and hope. He excited them with his enthusiasm and implanted in them the realization that their life could be better if they were willing to ‘do the work’ required. And he showed them how to accomplish their goals and kept them on the path to fulfillment with his constant faith in their ability to succeed.
Laughter was not only the spice of life to him it was the elixir that made life enjoyable. Everyday, even on his worst days, George laughed. He was in the business of caring for children. He was a founder of Nova, Inc., group homes for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children. Prior that that he was with private and state run facilities for the mentally and physically handicapped.
I suspect that just living a good life, one of “Selfless Acts of Kindness,” would be his greatest accomplishment. He truly understood that the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time. Thankfully, he took us, the people he touched, along for the ride. For that, I will be eternally grateful to him.
Evelyn Charleen Staley LaRue
Evelyn was a beautiful, caring, devoted, likeable and loving mother of two sons and two daughters. She had eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She lived in North Carolina all her life, and was the wife of Jack LaRue. Evelyn found happiness in providing a warm, clean, attractive home for her family, and was a hard worker, talented and gifted. She always made things for our homes, such as quilts, curtains, decorations, etc. She saw beauty in the simplest of forms, and could craft wondrous works with her sewing machine and needles. She loved Rock & Roll music, dancing, small fluffy dogs, going to yard sales, and playing Bingo.
Our mother has passed from this earth, but never from our hearts. She provided a strong shoulder for tears, a BIG heart to love us, and loved celebrating family traditions. Our family was the most important thing to her.
As we envision the tears you and your loved ones share as you see the world through our mother’s eyes, we would wish you the serenity, patience, love and compassion she had. If she were alive today, she’d smile at you and tell you to never take a moment for granted.
Her children send the message to value the remainder of your lives, because you have a part of the woman we love and continue to miss so very much. Through each of you, may your memories be as sweet as the ones she gave each of us.
William LeeWe were married thirty years ago, and what an inspiration he was in my life, in countless ways. He was full of life and so full of his faith in God. He loved to sing solo at church.
William listened and responded to each person he spoke with in such a way they felt very special. What a Southern gentleman he was! He had a warm, loving personality, friendly smile, and warm hugs for everyone.
He will be truly missed by family and friends. He would call our church members on their birthday and sing Happy Birthday to them. On Friday mornings, he was with a group that visited nursing homes where he led a sing-a-long with energy and enthusiasm. He knew and called each person there by name, and had a hug for all, male or female.
He planned many trips for our retirement center, and drove the bus. All his activities were as a volunteer, and in all these things he still had the energy of a young person.
He was my soul mate.
Joan Lee, wife
