Obituary: Lavigne, Donellan Thomas “Tom”
Age 84
Tom was born on April 25, 1930 in Oakland, California, the only child of Wesley and Grace LaVigne.
Tom’s father, Wesley, was a sheet metal worker and boxed professionally as a young man.
Tom inherited his fearless nature and love of fisticuffs from his dad.
Grace taught school and deeply loved her only son.
Tom was a great story teller and many of his stories centered around growing up on the mean streets of Oakland.
The Marine Corps rescued Tom from his unhealthy environs when he enlisted at age 17.
The Marines were a very important force in his life and he proudly wore his Marine logoed baseball cap until the last day of his life.
Tom left the Marines at age 20 and began college.
In college he met his future wife, Barbara Taylor (R.I.P.
2004) and they married in 1952.
Three children were born to Tom and Barb, Teri Malinak (Pete), Donellan T. LaVigne Jr. and Brigette LaVigne.
There are also two grandchildren, Natalie LaVigne and Nicky Valley.
His former second wife, Terry LaVigne, lives in Deer Park.
The first half of Tom’s professional life was spent in Ojai, CA, where he taught Spanish in junior high.
Tom relocated to Spokane in 1977.
After moving to Spokane, he worked in the court system, State and Federal, as a Spanish interpreter.
Beloved by judges, lawyers and clients, Tom maintained this work into his eighties.
Tom loved Spanish and could, and did, pass as a native speaker.
He loved the law, courts and lawyers.
He enjoyed being part of the system and formed many friendships in the legal community.
He loved the outdoors, hunting and was a crack shot.
As a younger man, he trained dogs and participated in field trials.
Tom loved the Marine Corps and was active in the local Marine Corps League.
Tom said there were two kinds of men: “Marines and those who wished they were Marines”.
Tom defined himself as a Marine “Semper Fi”.
Tom was always on stage, laughing, talking, telling jokes and forming friendships He will be missed.
Tom was a devoted Catholic and it was the reality that centered him in an often turbulent life.
He received the Last Rites of the Church ten minutes before his death.
Tom would be thrilled by the timing of his departure.
Tom had many, many friends, too many to mention.
You, his friends, are invited to attend his Rosary at Hennessy Funeral Home, 7:00pm Monday, December 29th.
His Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am Tuesday, December 30th at St. Thomas More Parish.
A reception will follow.
His interment will be at the Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake at 2:30pm.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Royal Plaza and the Horizon Hospice of Spokane.
Donations can be made to Horizon Hospice of Spokane.
Rest in Peace, Tom!