Thomas Lavalle

Thomas Michael Lavalle was born on March 15, 1951, at St. Francis Hospital in Brainerd, Minnesota. His parents were the late Jerome Lawrence and Iva Gladys (Keith) Lavalle. He was baptized and confirmed in October 1958 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd, MN.

He attended and graduated Brainerd High School with the Class of 1970. After high school he proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1972 to 1977, where he served as a photographer specialist.

In March 1970 Thomas was united in marriage to Cheryl Hecker. Their marriage was blessed with three children: Tony, Alice and Jacki.

He was employed as a photographer with the United States Air Force at the Duluth National Guard Air Force Base. In 1980 he moved to Underwood, and he was employed at the Fergus Falls State Hospital.

Thomas was united in marriage to Carol Ann Grage in 1983. Their marriage was joined with two children, Steve and Jonathan Palmer.  They made their home in Texas until 1993 and moved to Eagen, Minnesota.  Thomas and Carol also resided in Utah and Indiana before returning to make their home in Ottertail, Minnesota in 2015.

Thomas was employed at the Dallas County Sheriff’s office as a Crime Lab Photographer and Ritz Camera.

He enjoyed photography and collecting cameras, motorcycles, dogs, hunting and fishing, construction, auto mechanics and gun collecting.

On January 29, 2025, Thomas passed away at Sanford Health in Fargo, North Dakota at 73 years of age. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  Preceding Thomas in death were his parents, Jerome and Iva; daughter, Alice; siblings: Patricia, Clifford, Phyllis and Darlene.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Carol Lavalle of Ottertail, MN; children: Tony (Deb) Lavalle of St. Cloud, MN, Jacki (Brad) Allamon of Caldwell, TX, Steven Palmer of Fergus Falls, MN and Jonathan (Amy) Palmer of St. Cloud, MN; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; siblings: James, Jacqueline, Steven, David and Dennis; other relatives and a host of friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Wounded Warriors. MIA/KIA and DAV.

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