James Laroza

TRIBUTEJ.D. LaRoza2/14/45 - 6/18/02J.D. LaRoza was taken abruptly and prematurely from his family and friends by complications related to a recent injury. He will always be lovingly remembered for his joy-filled life.J.D. is survived by the love of his life, his wife Susan, of Silverdale, their son, Steven and wife Debbie of Tracy, California, and daughter, Sandra Piro and husband Brett of Port Orchard. Additoinally, he is survived by his sister Carolyn Kennedy and her husband Tom ofT Tahuya.J.D. is also survived by four grandchildren: Laaci and Cory Dame and Stephanie and Alison LaRoza.He was preceded in death by his parents, Edna and Frank LaRoza and "Granny" Esta Gabbert.J.D. was born on Valentine's Day, 1945, in Missouri, and moved with his family to the South Kitsap area when he was six years old. Growing up, he loved playing Little League and Babe Ruth baseball, camping, fishing, and Boy Scouts. He helped his father build the fields and concession stand for South Kitsap Babe Ruth.He graduted from South Kitsap High School in 1963.J.D. had a liflong interest in architecture, and continued his studies at Olympic College in Bremerton. Family needs cut his education short, and he went to work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, becoming an apprentice Pipefitter in 1964, graduating in 1968. He later worked in the submarine test program at PSNS.In 1978, J.D. transferred to Naval Submaring Base Bangor, holding various management positions until retiring on January 2, 2001, as a Supervisory Logistics Managment Specialist. He was honored with a Meritorious Civilian Service Award upon his retirement, one of the highest honors bestowed upon a civilian.While he worked hard, he also liked to play!When his children were growing up, he loved to challenge them to after dinner ping pong or electronic games, and taught them to ride motorcycles, and activity he enjoyed all his adult life. The family went on many camping trips.J.D. was a great dad, supporting and encouraging the kids in their many interests. He coached Steven in baseball, helping build the bleachers for South Kitsap Western Little League. He attended many parades to see Sandra perform with South Kitsap's drill team.He was a member of the Bremerton Cruisers Motorcycle Club from 1964 until his death. In addition to off-road riding, he also enjoyed touring. He and Susan went to Sturgis in 1990.JD.'s curiosity sparked an interest in traveling to see different and unique things. He and Susan had been to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, CS Flats, and had seen the Farm Implement Parade in Yakima, the Manly Man Festival in Roslyn, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowston, various NASCAR races, including the Daytona 500, and major league baseball games throughout the U.S. They attended the Mariners' spring training in Arizona.He always enjoyed animals, from the hippopotamus at the zoo, to whales and elk in the wild. He liked to keep his yard and garden looking beautiful. At family functions, he was the one doing the barbecuing.After retirement, J.D. played baseball with the senior league in Bremerton, and continued to spoil his grandchildren. He liked to go on the rides with them at Disney World, play baseball with them, and ride bikes with them, never content to remain on the sidelines. He was also proud to cheer them on in their various activities, and had recently attended both junior high and high school graduations for two of them.J.D. will be greatly missed. His spirit lives on with his family, who will forever treasure each moment they shared with him.A Celebration of Life service will be held at Rill Chapel in Port Orchard at 2 p.m., Tues., June 25.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 4414 Woodland Park N, Seattle, WA 98103. Please sign the Online Memorial for J.D. at www.rill.com .