Paul Edward LACROIX

Paul Edward LaCroix was born at Advance, Stoddard County, Missouri, to William Otto and Dewey Ada (Davis) LaCroix on 1 March 1926 and passed away peacefully on 21 July 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Lake St. Louis, St. Charles County, Missouri. Paul attended grade school at St. Mary’s and high school in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, prior to the family moving to St. Louis in 1942. He worked for Famous Barr and other odd jobs until enlisting in the Navy. After the Navy, he worked in the carpentry industry for several companies before retiring in 1988. Entered the US NAVY on 29 Feb 1944 as an Apprentice Seaman then advanced to Seaman 2nd Class, and served in the Pacific Theater of WWII. He then attained the rank of Seaman 1st Class. Was honorably discharged on 8 May 1946 at St. Louis, Missouri. On 22 Nov 1947, he married Cornelia Lee Smith at Holy Angels Church, St. Louis, in a double ceremony with his brother James Henry LaCroix and Betty Sue Bounds. Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Cornelia Lee; his parents William Otto and Dewey Ada LaCroix and all of his siblings; Dennis Eugene LaCroix, Sr., James Henry LaCroix, Juanita Francis (LaCroix) Masterson, Lillian Marie (LaCroix) Carroll, Dorothy Louise (LaCroix) Strange, Glenn Andrew LaCroix and Bernard William LaCroix and a daughter, Maria Yvonne (LaCroix) Kennedy. His surviving children are Bruce Edward LaCroix (Pat), Marcia Ann (LaCroix) Cissell (John), Paula Marie (LaCroix) Gamel (Steve), Kevin Paul LaCroix, Eric LaCroix (Sue) and Brian Anthony LaCroix. Grandchildren are Brett Edward LaCroix (Charline), Debra Anne LaCroix, Paul Clarence Cissell (Kelly), Rebecca Ann (Cissell) Ford (Dean), Christina Lee (Gamel) Jones (Bryan), Julianna Rose Gamel, Kathleen Lee (LaCroix) Hauck (Bud) and Eric William LaCroix (Olivia Orlando). Great-grandchildren are Brianna Michelle Smith, Devyn Paige LaCroix, Brayden Edward LaCroix, Morgan Olivia Hanks, Kerrington Danielle Cissell, Robert Edward Locke V, John Monroe Locke, Kayla Ann Locke and Everly Grace Hauck. Paul was very proud of his family – all his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was proud of his service to his country in the military. He always said he saw the sights of the world both through being in the Navy and traveling later in his life. He loved to play golf, and played up until the last two years at least once a week. He always said “find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!” There will be a graveside service with Military Honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 10:00 AM.

Paul Edward LACROIX

March 1, 1926 - July 21, 2021