Obituary of Sonny Lafon

Coffeyville - Frank M. "Sonny" Lafon, 66, of South Coffeyville, OK, passed away Tuesday night (February 6, 2007) at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center due to a antibiotic resistant staph infection and complications of pneumonia. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday (February 9, 2007) in the Tyro Christian Church with David Bycroft officiating. Casket Bearers will be member of Delaware Masonic Lodge #475. Masonic rites will be conducted by Delaware Masonic Lodge #475. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chautauqua, Kansas. Mr. Lafon was born June 17, 1940 to Frank M. and Imogene M (Howard) Lafon at rural Wann, Oklahoma. The family moved to Coffeyville residing there for four years before returning to the Wann area. Mr. Lafon attended the Oakdale and Whitworth schools graduating in 1955, then attended Wann High School graduating in 1959. After graduation he worked in the termite and pest control business in St. Joseph, Missouri and worked for Pierce and Son Exterminators until 1965. Mr. Lafon then worked for Funk Industries and then started his own business, Town and Country Termite and Pest Control. Mr. Lafon married Chiquita June McElroy on July 17, 1976 at Las Vegas, Nevada. After a brief stay in Caney, Kansas the couple moved to Wann where Mrs. Lafon became an equal partner in the business. They made their home in Wann for 28 years. Mr. Lafon retired in 1996. Mrs. Lafon continued to run Town and Country Termite and Pest Control until her retirement in January of 2004. The couple then moved to South Coffeyville. Mr. Lafon was a member of the Kansas, Oklahoma and Nation Pest Control Association. He was a three time Past Master of the Copan Masonic Lodge, and was voted a lifetime member in 1998. He was also a member and Past Patron of the Copan Eastern Star. Mr. Lafon was also a member of Delaware Masonic Lodge #475 in Delaware, Oklahoma, Sunset Lodge and Sunset Eastern Star in Nowata, Oklahoma. He also belonged to the 32nd degree of the Royal Arch Temple in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Akdar Shrine of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mirzza Shrine in Pittsburg, Kansas and Wasono Shrine Club in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Survivors include his wife, Chiquita of the home; one daughter and sonin-law Melanie and John Wheelock of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; one grandson, Travis Phelps of Stillwater, Oklahoma; four sisters, Phyllis Pierce and husband Ted of Locust, Grove, Oklahoma; Rita Waltrip of Dearing, Kansas, Connie Covey and husband Roger of Nowata, Oklahoma, and Cynthia Sue Lafon of Wann, Oklahoma; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant sister, Sondra Darlene. Mr. Lafon adored his wife, and enjoyed his family and pets. Sonny was a life-long OU fan, and especially enjoyed watching sports with his grandson. Mr. Lafon always had a good story to tell, and he will be always known for his hard work, his generosity, and his love and compassion for those around him. He will be missed. Friends may call on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.