John H. LaRue
John H. LaRue, age 99, passed from this life peacefully, Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Enchanted Pines Retirement Community in Crockett, Texas, where he had resided for 14 years. John H was born in Lovelady on January 16, 1926, graduated from Lovelady High School in 1944, where he was the FFA Lone Star Farmer of the year for the State. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines right after graduation, turning down a scholarship offer from the President of Texas A&M College. He spent time in the Pacific Theater, before being honorably discharged in 1946. Brothers Gordon, Odie and Billy were also WW II veterans. He returned to Houston County to run the LaRue Farm & Ranch with his brother, Glover G. LaRue. A few years later he would purchase a Caterpillar D-6 and begin a career as a land improvement contractor, mostly building farm stock ponds, lakes and clearing land. John H continued this well into his 70’s while running a cattle ranch.
He served on the board of Lovelady ISD for 20 years, served 6 years on Lovelady City Council, member and served as an officer in the Lion’s Club, a founding member of the Lovelady State Bank, serving on their Board of Directors for over 50 years. John H was a charter member and member for 31 years of the Houston County Appraisal District Board serving as chairman for 21 years retiring at age 86, a long-time member of the Land Improvement Contractors of America and the National Conservation Contractors Association. He was also a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Davy Crockett-Trinity Soil and Water Conservation District #404, and the American Legion.
John H accepted Christ and was baptized in 2011, joining the Lovelady Baptist Church where he had attended for years.
John H was preceded in death by wives, Edna Knighten LaRue and Bernice Easterly LaRue; his parents, William Harris LaRue and Effie Hairston LaRue; sisters, Loma Mays and Lorene Hibbetts; brothers, Tilford “Doc” LaRue, Ennis A. LaRue (died as an infant, 1910), Glover G. LaRue, Odie O. LaRue, Warren H. LaRue (died as an infant, 1917), Gordon L. LaRue, Billy F. LaRue; and his grandson, Shannon L. LaRue.
He is survived by Jane Fuller LaRue Cook, the mother of his sons, John D. LaRue (Deborah), Gary L. LaRue (Laurel), Tommy C. LaRue (Jennie) and Steven H. LaRue (Karen Land); grandsons, Brad LaRue, Cameron LaRue, Trevor LaRue, and Trey Slinkard (Jackie); granddaughters, Laura LaRue Kamin (Clayton), Lindsey LaRue Hadfield (Justin), Gabrielle LaRue Bailey (Coby) and Lacy Slinkard Kreger (Justin); great-grandsons, Dillon LaRue (Georgia), John Hadfield, Tobin Slinkard and Owen Slinkard; great-granddaughters, Elissa LaRue, Chloe LaRue, Eloise Kamin, Madelene Kamin, Everly Hadfield, Kennedy Kreger, Parker Kreger, Chandler Kreger and Ryann Slinkard; great-great-grandson, Jack Avery LaRue.
Funeral services for John H LaRue were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the Callaway-Allee Memorial Chapel. Interment followed at the Center Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Center Hill Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 385 Crockett, Texas 75835 or Lovelady First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 130, Lovelady, Texas 75851.
Online condolences may be left at http://www.callawayallee.com
