Sarasota, FL-Latelle McKee “Bud” LaFollette III passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, at his home in Sarasota, FL, on Dec. 16, 2023. Bud, son of Latelle McKee LaFollette, Jr. and Thelma Hatfield LaFollette was born in Charleston, WV, on Dec. 13, 1932.
Bud is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Alice Maynard Kuhn, and their three children, DeArmond LaFollette Arbogast (Rodger), Latelle Mckee LaFollette IV (Kirsten), and James Calvert LaFollette (Carolyn). He leaves four grandchildren, Alexander LaFollette Arbogast, Margaret Suzanne LaFollette, Julianna Grace LaFollette and James Calvert LaFollette, Jr.
Bud was known for his loving and compassionate nature. In his free time, he was an avid tennis player, an enthusiastic fisherman, a history buff and a charitable contributor to many organizations. His kind and generous spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Bud graduated from Augusta Military Academy and West Virginia University. There, he served as a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, the WVU track team, and as co-captain of the first WVU swim team.
After graduating, Bud worked as a real estate agent before serving in the US Army Reserves as an Infantry Captain. He later founded Pineview Cemetery, where he served as president for over 40 years. Bud was also appointed as West Virginia Securities Commissioner and served from 1959 -1960 and from 1972-1977. In addition, he spent most of his career managing his family’s business in natural resources and investments.
Bud was a member of several churches, including the Old Stone Church in Lewisburg, Church of the Palms in Sarasota, and First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, WV. He was a founder of the International Association of Investment Advisors, President of the Southern Securities Commissioners and a member-registered principal of the National Association of Securities Dealers. He was part of the Boy Scouts of America’s “Buckskin Council” of WV and served as a board member for the Meadows Country Club in Sarasota, the Edgewood Country Club-Swimming Committee in Charleston, and the Ringling School of Art in Sarasota. He was also a member of The Greenbrier Sporting Club in White Sulphur Springs.
Bud was predeceased by his parents, his sister Clara Jane LaFollette Wright, his brother-in-law Thomas Hastings Edelblute, and his nephew Thomas Hastings Edelblute, Jr.
Friends and family will gather to celebrate Bud’s life on Dec. 23 at 11:30 a.m. at Church of the Palms in Sarasota, FL. A reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Church of the Palms. The service can be streamed on the Church of the Palms’ website and FaceBook page.
Our family is very grateful to all of Bud’s loving caregivers who took such wonderful care of him.
