Obituary of Allen Jacob "Jake" "AJ" LaFurgey
Born May 22, 1928. Died July 3, 2019. A Celebration of Jake’s Life will be held 1:00 pm, Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Service in Mt. Morris. Rev. Walter David will officiate, with burial to follow in Mt. Morris Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 11:00 am until time of service at 1:00 pm. Memorial donations may be directed to the Flint Kiwanis Club for their work with local charities. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
An anonymous poet with a clear understanding of life once wrote,
A life well lived is a precious gift
Of hope and strength and grace,
From someone who has made our world
A brighter, better place...
That was the essence of Jake LaFurgey.
Born in 1928 to Faye and Marion (Allen) LaFurgey, he lost his dad at the age of 4. But with the guidance of several uncles, he grew to be a hardworking, moral and ethical man. After a stint in the US Army, he met and married the love of his life, Barbara Ashe, in 1955. They had two children, Joe born in 1962 and Karen, born in 1967. While family was always his pride, joy and number one priority, his civic duty was never questioned. After volunteering for several years on the Mt. Morris City Fire Department, he was elected to the City Council in 1967. That was one step in his more than 50 years of service to the city. He was elected Mayor in 1969 and served until 1989. Ten years later, he was once again elected as a city council member. In that time, he worked to ensure the communities water supply would be safe for generations to come, once dusty roads were paved, and a modern library was built. Yet the tax rate remained affordable for residents. Like his love of family, his love of community could not be retired. In the mid-2000's Jake returned to city hall, as city manager. He finally turned in his keys to city hall in 2011. Jake enjoyed retirement to the fullest, hitting the casinos or taking in a Tiger's game and his service as a lifelong member of both the Mt. Morris and Flint Kiwanis Clubs. But his favorite past time was sitting on his deck, enjoying the beauty he and Barbara created in their backyard. He will be missed by wife, Barbara; son, Joseph (Renee) daughter, Karen Stevens (Dennis); grandson, Adam LaFurgey; granddaughter’s Morgan LaFurgey, Candice LaFurgey; and Carli Stevens; and sister, Helen Joanna.