Dr. Billy Joe LaRue's Obituary
Dr. Billy Joe La Rue, 82, died Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, surrounded by his family.
Dr. La Rue was born May 19, 1932, in Iola, Kansas, the eldest son of Harold C. La Rue and Nellie (Anderson) La Rue. Dr. La Rue attended the 1st grade at Lincoln School, in Chanute. His father worked for the Ash Grove Cement Company, and when his job required him to maintain the company’s pump house on the Neosho River north of Chanute, the family moved into the house on that property. Dr. La Rue then attended Neosho Valley School, a one-room schoolhouse across the road from the Ash Grove property, for grades 2-8. Upon graduation from Neosho Valley, he attended Royster Junior High (9th grade) and Chanute Senior High School, graduating in 1950.
Dr. La Rue attended Chanute Junior College (now Neosho County Community College) in 1951, before transferring to Kansas State College (now Kansas State University), Manhattan, Kansas, in the summer of 1951. He graduated from K-State in 1956 with Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees, and he was granted a license to practice veterinary medicine by the Kansas State Board of Veterinary Examiners.
Dr. La Rue married Barbara Ann Ebert on August 16, 1953, at the Evangelical United Brethren Church (now Otterbein United Methodist Church) in Chanute. Mrs. La Rue taught school at a one-room schoolhouse outside of Manhattan while Dr. La Rue was attending the College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State. The veterinary college awarded her two honorary degrees -- “DVMMRS” and “PHT” (Put Hubby Through).
While a student at K-State, Dr. La Rue was a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. He was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant, United States Army, upon his graduation. Dr. and Mrs. La Rue traveled to Chicago, Illinois, in August 1956, where, as a member of the Army’s Veterinary Corps, Dr. La Rue attended the Army’s Meat and Dairy Hygiene School for three months. Upon completion, the Army posted Dr. La Rue to Fort Benning, Georgia. In addition to inspecting and approving all food products entering the fort, Dr. La Rue provided veterinary care to the fort’s war dogs and other animals on the premises. Dr. and Mrs. La Rue were able to travel through the South while Dr. La Rue was assigned to Fort Benning.
After fulfilling his active duty requirements with the Army, Dr. and Mrs. La Rue returned to Chanute, Kansas, in August 1958. Dr. La Rue and his laboratory partner from veterinary school, Dr. Don McReynolds, formed a partnership and opened Animal Medical Center in September 1958. Drs. La Rue and McReynolds practiced veterinary medicine together until Dr. La Rue’s death. They received a proclamation from the Kansas Senate in 2014, honoring them for the longest continuous veterinary partnership in Kansas’ history.
In order to provide continuing education and promote camaraderie among veterinarians in Southeast Kansas, Dr. La Rue helped found the Southeast Kansas Veterinary Medical Association. In order to be a better practitioner, he attended as many continuing education seminars as possible, and he spent many a night reading veterinary journals. Dr. La Rue also mentored many young veterinarians during his career. Dr. La Rue was named the “Veterinarian of the Year” by the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association for 1998. He received the KVMA’s 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award. Local legislators often sought Dr. La Rue’s opinion on proposed legislation which might affect the practice of veterinary medicine in Kansas.
Dr. La Rue was active in his community. As a youth, he was a member of the Neosho Valley Busy Bees 4-H Club; as an adult, he taught classes for the club. When his oldest son joined Cub Scout Pack 100, Dr. La Rue became a leader. He served as Cubmaster of Pack 100 for many years, even after his sons had graduated into Boy Scout Troop 100. Dr. La Rue received Cub Scout leadership training at Philmont Scout Ranch, Cimarron, New Mexico, in July 1969. He returned to Philmont several times in the 1970s and 1980s as an adult leader for Explorer Post 100 when its members hiked through the Ranch as part of its High Adventure program.
Dr. La Rue was awarded the Scouter’s Key in 1971. He completed Wood Badge Training in 1972. He received the Silver Beaver Award from the Quivira Council, Boy Scouts of America, in 1975. Dr. La Rue also served as the District Commissioner for the Heluska (now Osage Nation) District for many years in the 1970s, and later served as the Institutional Representative for Scouting for Otterbein United Methodist Church.
Dr. La Rue was a member of the Otterbein United Methodist Church, the Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, and a lifetime member of the K-State Alumni Association. He was a former member of the Chanute Kiwanis Club.
Dr. La Rue was a self-taught woodworker. Through practice and study, he went from “creating sawdust” to becoming well known as a skilled craftsman. He especially enjoyed creating and crafting items for his family, friends, and church.
Dr. La Rue was preceded in death by his parents and his two younger brothers, R. Loyd La Rue and Robert J. La Rue. In addition to his beloved wife, Dr. La Rue is survived by his four children: Bruce La Rue and his wife, Gila; Brad La Rue and his wife, Carrie; and Brian La Rue, all of Chanute; and Beth Pruitt and her husband, Carl, of Hughes Springs, Texas. Dr. La Rue is also survived by six grandchildren: Kim La Rue, Chanute; Zach La Rue, Las Cruces, New Mexico; Jacob La Rue, Atchison, Kansas; Maggie La Rue, Manhattan, Kansas; and C.J. and Christine Pruitt, Hughes Springs, Texas; and one great-granddaughter, Novalee La Rue, Chanute.
Per Dr. La Rue’s request, no visitation will be held. His funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2015, at Otterbein United Methodist Church, Chanute. The service will be led by Rev. Sang Hak Lee, with Gary Kilgore, Lay Leader, assisting. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Countryside Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Because Dr. La Rue disliked suits and ties, his family requests attendees honor Dr. La Rue by wearing casual clothing – purple preferred. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Dr. La Rue’s name to the Pet Tribute Program, K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, 103 Trotter Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 -- 5604.
Countryside Funeral Home, Chanute, KS, is in charge of arrangements. On-line condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com
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