It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Garry Wayne LaFollette, who departed this life on January 5, 2025. Born on June 7, 1961, he was 63 years old when he left us.

He was a graduate of Shenandoah University and the Cornell University Hospitality Program.

He was a man of unpretentious and eclectic tastes; his favorite foods ranged from painfully spicy dishes to Reese’s Cups. He enjoyed good beer, good bourbon, and oddly, room-temperature Diet Coke.

Garry’s interests were diverse and reflected his complex personality. He found much pleasure and inspiration in music, and favorites such as Ian Tyson, Johnny Cash, The Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, and Merle Haggard would often fill his home. He was also an avid reader with an insatiable appetite for knowledge, and a gifted author of several as-yet-unpublished mystery novels, showcasing his brilliant and unusual mind.
He cherished the times he spent vacationing while visiting his mother and stepfather in Arizona, and he found enjoyment and fulfillment in his long career in hotel management, most recently his 17-year stretch at the Spark by Hilton, formerly the Wingate by Wyndham.

He will be remembered as a unique individual who was profoundly loyal and intelligent, funny and generous, kind and unusually complex. His laughter, his voice, his caring spirit, and his remarkable sense of humor will be missed by many. Garry has left an indelible legacy of love, friendship, and treasured memories for so many people, and the world is surely a lesser place without him. As we mourn this loss, we also celebrate his life, cherishing every moment we had the privilege of sharing with him. His memory will continue to inspire and uplift us.

Garry is survived by his mother, Dotte LaFollette Magee, and his father, Stanley LaFollette. He is also remembered lovingly by his honorary family: Harry and Lara Braithwaite and their children, Cassidy and Spencer, who affectionately called him their uncle.

He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Dr. Charles Magee.

In honor of Garry’s life and in alignment with his generous spirit, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.