David W. Laakso, 85, passed away peacefully at Lakeview Assisted Living on a Friday.
He was the son of Alfred and Sofia Laakso. He joined the Army Air Corps at age 17, and served from 1947-1950.
He attended Northern Michigan University, where he met Alicemae Davidson of Escanaba, whom he married in 1953.
David and Alicemae moved to Merrill, Mich., where he taught music for five years, before moving to Escanaba in 1959, where, for 25 years, David was the junior high band director. His bands won innumerable awards, and performed concerts with guest soloists such as Doc Severinsen and Rafael Mendez(# 7758491). His teaching ability and mentorship of young musicians led many of his students to pursue musical careers, and he instilled a lifelong love of music in countless others.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Escanaba, where he served as clerk of the Session.
He was survived by: his beloved wife of 61 years, Alicemae; a sister, Leona Hill; daughter, Susan Curran; son, William (Jeanne Beauchamp) Laakso; and four grandchildren, Olivia (Curran) Macaulay (Glenn), Graham Curran, and Maria and Sam Laakso.
Visitation at the First United Presbyterian Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating his life officiated by Rev. Scott White.
He was the son of Alfred and Sofia Laakso. He joined the Army Air Corps at age 17, and served from 1947-1950.
He attended Northern Michigan University, where he met Alicemae Davidson of Escanaba, whom he married in 1953.
David and Alicemae moved to Merrill, Mich., where he taught music for five years, before moving to Escanaba in 1959, where, for 25 years, David was the junior high band director. His bands won innumerable awards, and performed concerts with guest soloists such as Doc Severinsen and Rafael Mendez(# 7758491). His teaching ability and mentorship of young musicians led many of his students to pursue musical careers, and he instilled a lifelong love of music in countless others.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Escanaba, where he served as clerk of the Session.
He was survived by: his beloved wife of 61 years, Alicemae; a sister, Leona Hill; daughter, Susan Curran; son, William (Jeanne Beauchamp) Laakso; and four grandchildren, Olivia (Curran) Macaulay (Glenn), Graham Curran, and Maria and Sam Laakso.
Visitation at the First United Presbyterian Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating his life officiated by Rev. Scott White.
David W. Laakso, 85, passed away peacefully at Lakeview Assisted Living on a Friday.
He was the son of Alfred and Sofia Laakso. He joined the Army Air Corps at age 17, and served from 1947-1950.
He attended Northern Michigan University, where he met Alicemae Davidson of Escanaba, whom he married in 1953.
David and Alicemae moved to Merrill, Mich., where he taught music for five years, before moving to Escanaba in 1959, where, for 25 years, David was the junior high band director. His bands won innumerable awards, and performed concerts with guest soloists such as Doc Severinsen and Rafael Mendez(# 7758491). His teaching ability and mentorship of young musicians led many of his students to pursue musical careers, and he instilled a lifelong love of music in countless others.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Escanaba, where he served as clerk of the Session.
He was survived by: his beloved wife of 61 years, Alicemae; a sister, Leona Hill; daughter, Susan Curran; son, William (Jeanne Beauchamp) Laakso; and four grandchildren, Olivia (Curran) Macaulay (Glenn), Graham Curran, and Maria and Sam Laakso.
Visitation at the First United Presbyterian Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating his life officiated by Rev. Scott White.
He was the son of Alfred and Sofia Laakso. He joined the Army Air Corps at age 17, and served from 1947-1950.
He attended Northern Michigan University, where he met Alicemae Davidson of Escanaba, whom he married in 1953.
David and Alicemae moved to Merrill, Mich., where he taught music for five years, before moving to Escanaba in 1959, where, for 25 years, David was the junior high band director. His bands won innumerable awards, and performed concerts with guest soloists such as Doc Severinsen and Rafael Mendez(# 7758491). His teaching ability and mentorship of young musicians led many of his students to pursue musical careers, and he instilled a lifelong love of music in countless others.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Escanaba, where he served as clerk of the Session.
He was survived by: his beloved wife of 61 years, Alicemae; a sister, Leona Hill; daughter, Susan Curran; son, William (Jeanne Beauchamp) Laakso; and four grandchildren, Olivia (Curran) Macaulay (Glenn), Graham Curran, and Maria and Sam Laakso.
Visitation at the First United Presbyterian Church in Escanaba. Funeral services celebrating his life officiated by Rev. Scott White.
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