Gregory P. LaCroix

Gregory Paul LaCroix passed away 2 months before turning 78 years of age. He died September 10th, 2025, at the Veterans Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Greg was born November 5th, 1947, 4th child of 6 in Rolette, ND, a town he considered his 2nd home. He spent many joyful childhoods and teen years with his big-hearted uncle and his rambunctious cousins at his beloved grandparent’s farm.

He was a good salesperson, selling the most church raffles as a child. Once sold salve to the neighbors ordering from the back of a comic book. His parents made him return the money even though he had happy customers.

Greg attended primary and high school in Dunseith, ND. At 18 he joined the Navy. He served during the years 1966 to 1970 on the USS Coral Sea and USS Oriskany in the Vietnam War. At orientation he was used as the example for a perfectly clean shave even though he hadn’t shaved that morning.

After the Navy, he attended Mayville, ND College for teaching then graduated from NDSU-Bottineau, ND School of Forestry. He taught swimming and managed the Bottineau ND Hockey arena. He worked many different jobs, Veterans Affairs mailroom, UPS driver, semi-truck driver and animal husbandry at NDSU Fargo. He enjoyed bringing young Gabe and Gina to the dairy barn at NDSU Fargo. He always included his kids whenever possible.

His passions were his children and grandchildren, camping, swimming, biking, rollers skating, golfing, and dancing. He was known to change his shirts up to 5 times in one evening dancing. His roller skating was impressive as he could glide and maneuver beautifully and effortlessly on the floor.

Gregory was a devoted member of the Church of Nativity in Fargo, ND and participated and led groups in the Beginning Experience program in Fargo, ND for divorced spouses. He had a lovely baritone voice and spent many years in the church choir. His humor, empathy, and big warm heart will be missed by those of us fortunate to know him.

He is survived by his ex-wife Kathy LaCroix (Nerpel); son Gabriel; daughter Gina; grandchildren Zach Nerpel, Morgan Nerpel, Ethan Nelson, Matthew, Marissa, Vanessa, Nichole Thomas; great granddaughter Carol Thomas; and sisters Janice Kester, Charlotte LaCroix, and Paulette Chisholm.

He is predeceased by his parents Henry and Gladys (Click); younger brother Jerry; daughter Maria Gleason; and son Eric Nerpel.