Edward Wayne LaFleur, devoted husband, father, and friend, passed away on Friday, June 27, 2025, at the age of 53, with his family by his side.
Edward was born on Oct. 13, 1971, and grew up in China, Texas. Even as a child, he was always willing to step in and lend a hand to anyone with any project or work that needed doing. He graduated in 1990 from Hardin-Jefferson High School, where he played basketball.
Rodeo and bull riding were in his blood after getting on his first bull at the Schroeder Arena in Nome at a young age—and that passion never left him. He was the Youth Rodeo Association Champion Bull Rider, Region V High School Rodeo Association Reserve Champion Bull Rider, and a multiple-time Texas High School Rodeo Finals qualifier.
As passionate as he was about rodeo, it soon became his second love after meeting a cute, tough, blonde-headed cowgirl from Lumberton who knocked him off his feet. On the night of their first date, he admitted he couldn’t tell the twin sisters apart to save his life—but he was sure about one thing: he wanted Stacie. It was no secret that she felt the same, and they never left one another’s side.
Edward and Stacie both furthered their education and were members of the rodeo team at Southwest Texas College in Uvalde. When Stacie transferred to McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Edward was right behind her. Rodeo Coach Mr. John Smith welcomed the young talents to the team, and they continued to compete in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association.
Stacie and Edward married in August of 1995, and their love and devotion to one another were evident to everyone who knew them. They first welcomed their son, DJ, then their daughter, Chelsea. The growing family eventually moved to western Oklahoma, where their youngest daughter, Hailey, completed the family and Edward began a new career in the trucking industry.
They returned home to Southeast Texas and as the kids grew, so did their involvement in youth rodeo. Edward served on the boards of several organizations, including the Mid-South Rodeo Cowkids Association and the Junior Rodeo Cowboys Association. He was named 2023 Region V Junior High Rodeo Association Director of the Year. A strong advocate for age-appropriate stock at the junior rodeo level, he went to great lengths to ensure that young athletes had the opportunity to grow and better themselves.
Edward’s deep knowledge of the sport and willingness to help kids left a lasting mark not only on rodeo but also in the hearts of the young men he mentored in the rough stock world.
Edward loved the Lord and never passed up an opportunity to tell you about his Jesus. Though Stacie and the kids will miss him immensely, they find great comfort in knowing he was welcomed into the arms of his Savior.
He is preceded in death by his father, Tillman LaFleur; his father- and mother-in-law, Belvin and Patsy Havard; his sister-in-law, Debra Byrd and her husband Robert; and his brother-in-law, Ira “Bucky” Fowler.
Edward is survived by his loving wife, Stacie Havard LaFleur; his children, Darion “DJ” LaFleur, Chelsea LaFleur, and Hailey LaFleur, all of Liberty; and his grandchildren, Riverleigh LaFleur and Jettson LaFleur. He is also survived by his mother, Evelyn LaFleur; his siblings, Emil LaFleur and David LaFleur, both of Nacogdoches, and Becky Guevara and husband Craig, of Beaumont; and his sisters-in-law: Tracie Doyal and husband Royd of Kenefic, Oklahoma; Beverly Fowler of Lumberton; Barbi Nielssen and husband Robert of Warren; Pam Reagan and husband Eric of Bryson City, North Carolina; and Tonya Spatola of Kountze. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews.
Please join the family and Edward’s many friends at Cornerstone Church in Liberty on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. to visit and reminisce. An additional gathering will begin at 10 a.m., followed by Edward’s Celebration of Life ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, also at Cornerstone Church in Liberty.
Serving as pallbearers are: D.J. LaFleur, David LaFleur, Doug Leon, Lance Carr, Jason Willie, Robert Nielssen, Cody Odell, and Bill Cody Odell.
Honorary pallbearers are Punkee Schroeder and Kyle Kayla.
We all loved him dearly and will never forget his devotion to his family—or the way he made you feel like the most important person in the world whenever you spoke with him.