Harry Edward LaCerte, 85, of Olathe, Kansas passed away at home on Wednesday, April 29, 2015. Harry grew up in Emporia, Kansas. He was born on September 27, 1929 to A.J. and Rhue (Stephenson) LaCerte. Harry attended elementary, Jr. high and high school, all twelve years in Emporia. He attended Emporia State University and while attending college he and his parents attended church together. There is where he saw Joann who was a soloist in the church choir. He told his dad that he would really like to meet that girl. “Frenchy” (Harry’s dad) a popular name that everyone knew him by in town, boldly asked Joann if she would go out with Harry if he were to ask her out on a date? Being lost for words, Joann replied she might if he gave her a call. Harry called her and took her out to a ball game at the Emporia ballpark, and that was their first date. The next date he took her to a movie and from then on they became very fond of each other. You might call their relationship, “love at first sight”.

When Harry received his draft notice into the Army he and Joann wanted to be married in their church before he left for boot camp. During their Christmas vacation in 1950 they planned a simple wedding. They spent their honeymoon a short time in Kansas City. Soon after, Harry was sent to Korea to serve his country. When he returned home they bought a small house in Shawnee, Kansas. For a time Harry worked at the Mercantile Bank and Joann worked at the Federal Reserve Bank. While living in Shawnee for seven years three sons were born: Jeffery, Stephen and Daniel after that time they moved to Olathe in 1961 and have lived there since.

Harry had become a Claims Representative. Being an avid sports enthusiast Harry coached several boys basketball teams at the old Millbrooke Gym. He loved kids and his team won many games. He never missed attending his own son’s basketball and football games. Even when he was very ill towards the end, he was watching the Kansas City Royals Baseball games.

Harry was a lifetime member of the Olathe First Presbyterian Church and a true Christian. He also served as a member of the Olathe American Legion Post 153 for twenty years. Years ago he and Joann were avid members of the “Olathe Association for Exceptional Children”. With his claims adjusting job causing him to be out of town quite often he did not join numerous organizations, but he gladly contributed to organizations such as: Veterans Of Foreign Wars, Disabled Veterans and any others that were military related. He was also a Institutional Representative for Boy Scout Troop 3182. He shall be greatly missed and by all who knew this great man. Anyone who knew Harry will remember that he considered everyone to be his friend, and would speak to people he had never met.

Harry is preceded in death by his parents: A.J. and Rhue LaCerte, and brother Gerald D. LaCerte. Survivors include his loving wife Joann and their three sons: Jeffery LaCerte, Stephen LaCerte and his wife Lisa, and Daniel LaCerte. He will be sadly missed by his two grandsons, Micah LaCetre (Diana), Stephen LaCerte, three nephews, Max Smith, Jan Smith (Janet) and Bill Smith, and two step-children, Sarah Clyde (Hunter) and their daughter Gracelyn and Alex Loeffler (Lefler). All were very dear to Harry and he was always there for them. Harry recently learned that grandson Stephen and his wife Gabrielle are expecting his first “great grandchild”.

“Family” was the utmost importance to Harry. His love for all his family was beyond description.

Arrangements: Under the direction of the McGilley & Frye Funeral Home and Crematory 105 E. Loula St. Olathe, Kansas.