Roland La France Sr.

Roland Gerard La France Sr.

January 17th, 1931 - August 16th, 2024

 CWO 3 (Ret. USA) Roland Gerard La France Sr., “Frenchy,” passed away on August 16th, 2024 at his home in Las Cruces, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Norma Olga Paradise La France (2011), and joins his eldest daughter Roberta La France in the next world, who passed away in 1997. He leaves behind his remaining daughters Linda DeRosier & her husband Dana of Billerica, Massachusetts; Renée La France of Las Cruces; sons Richard Brannan & his wife Lorraine of the UK; Roland Jr. of Las Cruces; Raymond of Salisbury, Massachusetts; Richard of New York City; and Robert & his wife Jennifer Cadden of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Additional family includes adopted son Paul Nevarez and his wife Crystal Crawley of Las Cruces; Nephew & Godson Daryl Murphy & his wife Martha of Las Cruces, Granddaughters Amy Courtley of the UK, Sacha, Amanda & Deanna of Las Cruces; Grandsons Wade DeRosier from Billerica; Dylan of Indiana; Jonathan Tedford and Jordan of Amesbury, Massachusetts; & brothers Remington and Benjamin of Scranton. 

 Frenchy was born in Nashua, New Hampshire on January 17th, 1931. The son of devout Catholic French-Canadian immigrants, his early education was in French speaking Catholic schools. He did not speak much English until the age of 13 when he entered the Nashua public School system; subsequently graduating from Nashua High School in 1950. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, he enlisted in the Army in 1952 where he ultimately spent 27 years of life, with over 14 years overseas in the UK, Korea, Germany and Vietnam. During his decades of service to our country, Frenchy received medals and commendations on no less than 30 occasions. Most notably, he was a four time recipient of the Bronze Star, the fourth-highest ranking award a service member can receive for a heroic and meritorious deed performed in an armed conflict. For those who receive the BSM, it is a signal of their sacrifice, bravery and honor while serving their country.

 Upon his retirement from his last post at White Sands Missile Range, he moved his wife Norma and their children over the Organ Mountains to Las Cruces, where he attended New Mexico State University from 1980-1981. When his studies were completed, Frenchy took a Civil Service position at the Naval Ordnance Missile Test Station at WSMR as Chief Comptroller. In total, Frenchy spent 45 years of his life in dedicated service to the United States of America. He was a proud lifetime member of The Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he served in many posts including: Post Commander, District Commander, State Commander and State Quartermaster. He was also very active in the Military Order of the Cooties, AMVETS, the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He represented New Mexico on the Veterans Advisory Committee to the VA, and traveled annually to Washington, DC to lobby congress for Veterans rights and benefits.

 The family would like to thank High Desert Hospice, Matrix Home Health and the VA for their collective assistance with Frenchy’s end of life care. To all the nurses, social workers, therapists and aides who came to the house to help, your efforts were greatly admired and appreciated. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans in the name of Roland Gerard La France Sr. at https://www.dav.org

  A gathering of friends and family will be held at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E Bowman Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001 on Friday, August 23rd from 1-3 p.m., with services to follow directly after. A celebration of Frenchy’s life will take place at VFW Post 6917, 5845 Bataan Memorial West, Las Cruces, NM 88012 on Saturday, August 24th at 1p.m.