The Shreveport Times

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Obituaries

Joseph "Papa Joe" Charles LaHood

MANSFIELD, LA - Joseph LaHood, born April 29, 1924 in Mansfield, LA, to the late Abraham and Tamam LaHood, passed away Tuesday, December 12, 2006 in Mansfield, Louisiana. He attended both grade school and high school in Mansfield, where he competed in varsity football, baseball and basketball. Upon graduation in 1940, he attended vocational school for a degree in welding. Later he began working for Nabors Trailers. Before the start of World War II, "Papa Joe" traveled to Beaumont, TX to help in the construction of naval warships. In 1943, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corp. where his brothers Pete and Tom were already serving.

On January 23, 1949, Joe LaHood married Elizabeth Zwan of Tyler, TX. The couple had two daughters, Tanya and Tamam. In 1968, Joe LaHood opened LaHood's Mobile Homes in Mansfield, LA. He retired in 1989 turning the business over to his son-in-law Donnie Dufour. During Papa Joe's retirement he went into the real estate and investments business. During his life he was a charter member of the DeSoto Council 2432, Knights of Columbus and was a member of the American Legion. He is a long-time and current member of the Progressive National Bank Board of Directors. "Papa Joe" was an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing in his spare time.

Joseph LaHood was preceded in death by, his parents Abraham and Tamam LaHood; brothers Pete LaHood, and LaHood LaHood; sisters Mary LaHood Mourad, Dale Summerlin, and Lula LaHood

He is survived by, wife Elizabeth Zwan LaHood of Manfield, LA; daughters Tanya LaHood Dufour and husband Donnie Dufour of Mansfield, LA and Tamam LaHood of Shreveport, LA; sister Agnes Abraham and husband Ernest of Alexandria, LA; brother Tom LaHood of Crowley, LA; niece Therese Mayer of Lafayette, LA; and grandchildren Aaron Jackson and wife Kelly of Auburn, AL, Adam Dufour of Dallas, TX, Peyton Dufour of Shreveport, LA, and Jordan Dufour of Shreveport, LA.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest memorials be made to St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mansfield, LA.

The family would like to express their most heart felt thanks to Dr. Leigh and Debra Dillard, Dr. Tommy Brown, the entire staff at DeSoto Regional Medical Ceneter; the Board of Directors and employees of Progressive National Bank, and all of "Papa Joe's" dear life long friends.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Mansfield, LA 318-872-4660