Gregory P. LaCroix

Gregory Paul LaCroix passed away on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at the Veterans Hospital in Fargo, ND, just 2 months shy of his 78th birthday.

Greg was born November 5, 1947, fourth of six children to Henry and Gladys (Click) LaCroix in Rolette, ND, a town he considered his second home. He spent many joyful childhood 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 raffle tickets as a child. He 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, serving 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 College for teaching then graduated from NDSU-Bottineau School of Forestry. He taught swimming and managed the Bottineau Hockey arena. He worked many different jobs, including Veterans Affairs mailroom, UPS driver, semi-truck driver and animal husbandry at NDSU Fargo. When his children were young, he enjoyed bringing them to the dairy barn at NDSU Fargo. He 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 tenor 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, and 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.