Louis William DeFuria, 81, of Kingwood, Texas passed away on Tuesday, May 31st, 2005. Lou was born on April 22nd, 1924 in Youngstown, Ohio to Anthony & Concetta DelMonte DeFuria.
He was captain of the basketball team and was also on the baseball team before graduating from Youngstown Chaney High School in 1942. Lou served during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps 435th Fighter Control Squadron stationed in North Africa & Italy and received an Honorable Discharge on October 24th, 1945. He attended Oklahoma State University and received a bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University in 1949. Lou retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2003 after working for 47 years as a postal clerk.
He was a member of the Houston Italian American Golf Association, the Italian Culture Foundation, Friends of Italy, the U.S. Postal Union, American Legion Post #578 of Humble, Texas, and the Senior Friends of Kingwood Medical Center. An avid golfer and sports fan, Lou was better known to his family and friends as "Chip & Putt Louie".
He was preceded in death by his brother Anthony Jr.; sisters Josephine DeFuria & Stella Nichols; and grandson David Lawrence DeFuria. Lou is survived by his wife of 56 years, Teresa Tullio DeFuria of Kingwood, Texas; son Lawrence Anthony DeFuria of Houston, Texas; daughter Linda M. DeFuria of Dallas, Texas; brother Joseph DeFuria & wife Vera of Ohio; sisters Dora Andio, Helen Ferko & husband Donald "Babe", Norma Brooke, Diana Schaeffer & husband Charles, and Lillian Weimer & husband Bill, all of Ohio; many beloved nieces & nephews; as well as many other relatives & friends.
Memorial Services with Chaplain Ron Westphal officiating will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Friday, June 3rd, 2005, in the VA Chapel at the Houston National Cemetery with Full Military Honors rendered by the American Legion. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center by sending a check or money order to P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486 or by calling toll-free to 1-800-525-5841. CLICK HERE if you would like to make a donation online to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
A Memorial Mass with Father Popovich officiating will be said on Saturday, August 13th, 2005, at 10:30 A.M. at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church located at 4490 Norquest Boulevard, Youngstown, Ohio 44515, phone (330) 793-9988 with visitation beginning at 9 A.M. at the church. After the Mass, there will be a blessing at the interment at Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown, Ohio followed by a meal and time of continued fellowship at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
A kind, gentle, and generous man who embraced life, Lou will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
