Jeffrey D. Lafortune of Anchorage was driving a 1997 Toyota pickup west on the highway went it left the roadway at about 6:40 a.m., the State Patrol reported in an accident memo.
Lafortune was thrown from the truck when it rolled over. He was pronounced dead at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital, according to the patrol.
The State Patrol blamed the accident, which took place about 12 miles west of Ellensburg, on driving too fast for conditions. Neither drugs nor alcohol are suspected of playing a role in the accident.
Jeffrey David LaFortune
Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors
ELLENSBURG - Jeffrey David LaFortune, 51, passed away on December 5, 2012 at Kittitas Valley Hospital as the result of a car accident.
Jeff was born on February 25, 1961. He attended school in Yakima, graduating from Eisenhower High School with the class of 1979.
Jeff was an avid outdoorsman, fly fisherman and bird hunter.
Jeff flagged for his grandfather Hank Pruitt while in high school for his crop dusting business. He also worked for Safeway as a baker and meat cutter for about 18 years. Over the years Jeff worked for Birchfield Manor and Greystone Restaurant as a chef, as well as Rainford’s Minute Lube in Yakima and Moses Lake, WA.
Jeff is survived by his daughter Brittaney LaFortune, mother Sharon A. Criddle, father Richard C. LaFortune, and one grandchild Kaydence. He is also survived by his cousins, Kim and Patrick McFarlin, Bill, John, Richard, and Adam Carmichael and David and Mark Rhoades along with their parents. He was preceded in death by a brother Brian G. LaFortune, his grandparents John and Ellen Malone, Hank and Patricia Pruitt and Fred and Lillian LaFortune.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. 48th Ave., Yakima, WA at 11:00 a.m. Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors has been trusted with these arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at www.shawandsons.net.
Dyann Bush (Murphy)
I'm so sad! Jeff was such a nice guy!
Kathy Nessler
Jeff,
I am grateful that I got a chance to know, even if it was just FB. I enjoyed our chats during my study breaks and the banter you and Sally had on FB would give me a much needed chuckle. You were such a kid at heart and now you are our guardian angel.
RIP sweet man~
Andy Paschen
Really sorry to hear about the death of our classmate.Sally Shockley (Thaxton)
Dear Jeff,
You will be missed more than you could have possibly imagined or dreamed. You touched the lives of so many of our classmates & you spread so much joy & happiness to classmates, co-workers, friends, family.
I'm going to hang out with your mom now. You always teased me about her. She's a sweet, sweet woman who has suffered the most egregious of tragedies. Your beloved father as well has suffered horribly. Your daughter, your granddaughter....
You cannot begin to imagine, you can't, you can't, you can't know how much I wish with all of my heart that you had listened to your mom & me that night. No it wouldn't have killed you to call in sick but it sure as hell killed you to go to work.
I miss you harrassing me & politicizing every conversation. My kids thought you were pretty cool, they miss you too. We all miss you. Never thought I'd shed this many tears over the loss of my good & dear friend Jeff LaFortune. I'll keep your place clean for you.
Take care my stalker. I know you are with your beloved Brian. I will always miss you. You were the epitome of a good friend.
Sal
Deborah Bernhardt (Hurlburt)
Jeff,
I hope you saw today just how many lives you have touched. How much you were loved, and how much you will be missed. Tears flowed for our own sadness but in our hearts we know that you are in good hands looking down upon us.
Thank you for the hours spent late at night, filling so many of my lonely nights, chatting with me on the computer. You inspired me with your spirit and positive words. Individually we have both fought our battles in life, and I was so happy to see you rising above what was holding you down. I am truly sorry I had not realized that you were back home and to have an opportunity to catch up with you.
I love how you inspired people you never met. My girlfriend, Denice Myers for one. You never got a chance to meet her, or she you which is sad. You two would've had fun together if given the chance.
Your smile will be missed, but you will forever live on in the hearts of those you touched. Your fellow Cadets will proudly speak your name, and share stories that will keep you close and alive to all of us.
Watch over us all until our time comes to reunite in God's kingdom. Until then, Rest in Peace my friend. FISH ON!
Tom Hinman
Jeff,
Dang it! I'm going to miss that damn goofy smile and chuckle the most! You always did have an infectious smile! Growing up we had the best neighborhood anyone could ever ask for! All of the childhood memories we shared. I'm one of the lucky ones that knew you for over 40 years! You had that quality to touch everyone that you came in contact with. Rest in peace and give your brother a hug from us. Save us a spot as someday, we will be joining you both. Until then... fish and hunt and follow your dreams! We love you bro and you will be missed!