Funeral service for Stephen Joseph LaForge, 73, will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at the First Baptist Church in Chickasha.
Steve was born April 11, 1951, the son of Paul F. and Ellen Berniece (Treiber) LaForge in Parsons, Kansas. He died Feb. 14, 2025, at OU Medical Center in Edmond. He graduated from the University of Kansas with two bachelor of science degrees: one in civil engineering and one in business administration.
In 1974, he accepted the position of vice president and contract administrator for his father’s company, LaForge and Budd Construction. In 1976, he moved to Chickasha to oversee construction of the sewer plant. He managed the Chickasha branch office until 1981, and then founded his own company, Labco Construction Inc., which completed projects in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.
In 1991, Steve left construction and went into the real estate business. He was president and owner of LaForge Properties LLC, Ace Investments and other real estate-owning entities. From 1995 to 2003, Steve served as secretary-treasurer on the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority during Gov. Frank Keating's tenure. In April 2023, Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Steve to the Oklahoma Transportation Commission, representing District 7.
Along with his private companies and service to Oklahoma, he was dedicated to supporting his hometown and was named the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2021. He contributed to the Chickasha Public Schools’ extracurricular activities and also served on the Chickasha Public School Foundation.
Steve contributed to helping start “A Beautiful Day,” which provides monthly birthday parties for elementary school children. He also donated money to children of Chickasha to experience Kanakuk Kamp Out. He was one of the original participants in the Festival of Light, having constructed the structure for the walking bridge. Every June, he financed the release of 2,000 pounds of catfish in Shannon Springs Pond for the Elks Lodge annual fishing derby.
Steve was active in community development and served on the Chickasha Economic Development Council’s board of directors. He was a part of bringing several new businesses to the area.
He was also a member of the Chickasha Rotary Club and the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce. He was also on the board of the Chickasha Industrial Authority.
He is survived by his mother, Berniece La-Forge, of Lenexa, Kansas; his wife, Abby LaForge, Chickasha; four children: sons, Mike and his wife, Kate, LaForge, Checotah; Rusty and his wife, Mandy, LaForge, Oklahoma City; stepson Bryce Binyon, Chickasha; and stepdaughter Evva, and her husband, Clint, King, Blanchard; and eight grandchildren.
He is also survived by five brothers and four sisters, who live in Kansas and Wyoming. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul F. LaForge, in May 2014.
Interment will be in Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Beautiful Day Foundation, beautifuldayfoundation. net, and click donation Chickasha Chapter or to the Festival of Light, 221 Chickasha Ave, Chickasha, OK 73018.