Lt. Col. (Ret) Ivan F. LaBree

AUGUSTA – Lt. Col. (Ret) Ivan F. LaBree, 95, of Augusta died on Feb. 12, 2022 at the Maine Veterans Home. He was born on November 12, 1926 in Hollis, Maine, the eldest child of Frederick W. and Flora (Day) LaBree. Ivan married Mona C. LaBree on December 20, 1952 in El Paso, Texas. They were married for 67 years until her death in July 2020.Ivan grew up in South Portland and attended schools there. He left in his senior year and joined the Navy in September 1944, gaining his GED the following year. He served aboard the USS Saint Paul, CA 73, a heavy cruiser in the third fleet in the Pacific Theater until the end of WWII, being present at the surrender in Tokyo Bay. He was discharged in June 1946. In December 1948, he joined Company B, 103rd Infantry Maine National Guard, and later transferred to Battery 703rd AAA Gun Battalion in South Portland. He was activated to Federal Service with the Battalion on August 15, 1950. On April 1, 1952, he joined the Regular Army and was assigned to the 12th AAA Gun Battalion at Camp Stewart, Georgia.In subsequent years, Ivan was appointed a Warrant Officer on June 6, 1954 and was later commissioned a 1st Lieutenant on May 9, 1956, followed by promotions to Captain, Major and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel on January 1, 1971, after serving for 27 years. During those years, Ivan served a variety of assignments at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Military Assistance Advisory Group in Formosa; Advanced Weapons Support Command in Germany; and several assignments in the United States. Ivan served with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam, where he earned the Bronze Star. Upon returning from Vietnam, Ivan was one of the survivor assistance officers assigned to provide services to families of those killed in the war. Many of those he helped wrote to congressional members and military officials expressing their gratitude for the professional and compassionate care they received from Ivan during such a difficult time. Some life-long friendships resulted as well.After retiring from the Army, Ivan worked in several positions, first with State of Maine in the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration Criminal Justice program; executive director of the Maine Chiefs of Police Association; and later at Togus VA.Ivan was a member of the American Legion for more than 70 years, was a life member of the Retired Officers Association, the Disabled American Veterans, was a 33rd degree member of the Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies, the York Rite Bodies, and Kora Temple Shrine. He was a Past Master of Bethlehem Lodge.Ivan was a member of Penney Memorial United Baptist Church, holding several positions on Boards and Committees. He was a past president of the American Baptist Churches of Maine.These accomplishments do little to describe the wonderful man his family and friends knew. Ivan touched everybody he met with his kindness and humor. Many lives were changed for the better through Ivan’s actions and caring deeds. He also enjoyed a good martini and a day on the golf course! Travels with family throughout the years, in the US, Canada and abroad, were some of his favorite times. He will be greatly missed by all of us who were fortunate to know him.Ivan is survived by his daughters Kathryn and her husband Scott Jones, and Karen and her husband Jim Bivins; his grandson Alex Jones and his wife Mollie; his sisters Freda Avery of Georgia, Verna and her husband Robert Repass of South Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.He is predeceased by his parents; his wife Mona; his sisters Lorraine and her husband Donald Rossnagle, Evangeline and her husband John Franceshelli; his brother Virgil LaBree and his wife Jean, and several nieces and nephews.A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday February 28, 2022 at Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME. Burial will be in Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared at http://www.plummerfh.com.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Maine Veterans Home, 310 Cony Rd., Augusta, ME 04330 or Kennebec Valley Humane Society,10 Pet Haven Lane,Augusta, ME 04330.

Lt. Col. (Ret) Ivan F. LaBree