CHICKASHA, Okla. — The funeral service for Stephen Joseph LaForge will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the First Baptist Church in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Stephen Joseph LaForge was born April 11, 1951, the son of Paul F. and Ellen Berniece (Treiber) LaForge in Parsons. He passed away at 73 at Oklahoma University Medical Center in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.
Steve lived on the family farm in St. Paul until he was in third grade. During that time, he had fond memories of walking home after school with his two older brothers and being assigned to clean the fish after fishing in the pond.
He played all sports while attending St. Patrick High School in Parsons, but running track was his favorite. He ran the 100-yard dash, the 220-yard dash, the 440-yard dash, the half-mile and relays, setting school records in every event. He also earned the Eagle Scout honor. He married Patti Barnes on Jan. 23, 1970.
All 10 LaForge children grew up understanding the quality and importance of education. Steve graduated from the University of Kansas with a double degree in civil engineering and business administration. He was such a loyal KU fan that he would give any child a $1 reward when they wore anything KU. Some adults tried to get in on that reward.
Steve's dad was his mentor for starting and developing companies, setting an example that hard work pays off. In 1974, he took the position of vice president and contract administrator for LaForge and Budd Construction, which his dad owned.
Born into a large family of five brothers and four sisters, Chickasha later became part of Steve's extended family. In 1976, the original plan was to move to Chickasha for a couple of years to construct the Chickasha sewer plant. After the project was completed, Chickasha was the place he wanted to raise his two sons, Mike and Rusty. He supported all areas of Chickasha since then.
In 1981, Steve founded his company and became president and owner of Labco Construction Inc., which completed projects in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. In 1991, Steve decided to quit construction and began buying distressed real estate.
For 30 years, Steve was the president and owner of LaForge Properties LLC, Ace Investments Inc. and other real estate-owning entities. He purchased and sold property in various states, including Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Tennessee and California.
From 1995 to 2003, Steve served as secretary-treasurer of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority during Gov. Frank Keating's tenure. In April 2023, Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Steve to the Oklahoma Transportation Commission, representing District 7.
Steve LaForge and Abby Binyon were married on June 23, 2012. They enjoyed many years of traveling the world together.
Steve had a genuine heart for the children of Chickasha and the community.
Steve believed all children should learn the meaning of hard work, working with others, life lessons and rewards. To ensure children could develop these qualities and succeed, he contributed to Chickasha Public Schools' extracurricular activities, including band, cheerleading, football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, robotics, academic team and tennis. He also served on the Chickasha Public School Foundation for several years to ensure that teachers and students received help in the classrooms.
Steve contributed to helping start A Beautiful Day, a monthly birthday party for elementary school children. He and his wife, Abby, continue to support this project so that all children in Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center, Grand Avenue Elementary and Lincoln Elementary are excited to celebrate their birthdays. Steve believed children of all ages should be celebrated.
Steve provided an opportunity for children outside of the school system. He donated the seed money so that the children of Chickasha could experience Kanakuk Kamp Out. Steve continued to contribute yearly, along with several others, to provide each camper a discount from the original cost. Each year, he provided individual scholarships to children so they could participate in the Kamp Out experience.
Each June, Steve released 2,000 pounds of catfish in Shannon Springs Pond to ensure children had the delight of catching a fish during the Elks Lodge annual fishing derby. Steve's favorite part was walking through the park the morning of the derby to see the children's excitement as they caught fish.
Steve was one of the original participants in the Festival of Light in Chickasha. He constructed the original structure for the walking bridge and directed the 1993 Chickasha football team members in lighting the Spring House. Both are still focal points during the festival. He was a yearly sponsor of the Festival of Light for the enjoyment of all.
Steve was active in community development. He served on the Economic Development Council's board of directors throughout the years. He had a passion for helping develop industry and business for the growth and betterment of Chickasha. Steve helped bring several businesses to Chickasha: Interurban, Walgreens, Cotton Patch, Tractor Supply, Jimmy's Egg and several others.
He always researched and contacted businesses to see if they would be interested in coming to Chickasha. Steve supported many Chickasha Chamber of Commerce events that promoted Chickasha, such as The Food Truck Championship. Steve and Abby were also proud supporters and contributors of the Chickasha Leg Lamp.
He was proud of his trademark of wearing Hawaiian shirts, which he started wearing at age 4. He always said, "Dress for where you want to be."
As a member of the Chickasha Rotary Club, he was known for "Deep Thoughts by Steve LaForge" during weekly meetings, which he shared with pride.
Steve was an avid fan of Oklahoma City Thunder basketball. He first purchased tickets when the Hornets came to Oklahoma City. He remained in the same seats even through this 2024-25 season. Steve had perfect attendance through those 20 years. This was not because he attended all those games, but he made sure others had the experience of seeing OKC Thunder basketball.
Steve attended the First Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his father, Paul F. LaForge, in May 2014.
Survivors include his mother, Berniece LaForge of Lenexa; his wife, Abby, of the home; sons, Mike and Kate LaForge of Checotah, Oklahoma, and Rusty and Mandy LaForge of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a stepson, Bryce Binyon of Chickasha, Oklahoma; a stepdaughter, Evva and Clint King of Blanchard, Oklahoma; a grandson, Seth LaForge of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a grandson and his fiancée, Grant LaForge of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Tessa Steiner of Allen, Texas; granddaughters, Elise LaForge of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Olivia LaForge, Anna LaForge, both of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Keelyn King and Payton King, both of Blanchard, Oklahoma; a grandson, Cale King of Blanchard, Oklahoma; his brothers, Paul E. and Dawn LaForge of Lenexa, Nick LaForge of Pittsburg, Kenny and Debbie LaForge of Lenexa, Pat and Lori LaForge of Parsons and Greg and Karla LaForge of Erie; his sisters, Mary and Gary Shaw of Laramie, Wyoming, Jane and Brian Maskus, Emily and Bob Borovetz of Shawnee and Karen LaForge and fiancé Dan Paule, all of Shawnee; 22 nieces and nephews; and 23 great-nieces and great-nephews.
Interment will be in Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to Beautiful Day Foundation, 45 N. Ninth St., Suite 213, Duncan, OK, 73522, or online at beautifuldayfoundation.net and click the Chickasha Chapter link, or the Festival of Light, 221 Chickasha Ave., Chickasha, OK. 73018.
