Ellen R. LaGrone, age 67 of Huber Heights, Ohio, passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at Miami Valley Hospital after a short illness.
   Ellen, the daughter of the late Clarence and Yvonne LaGrone, was born August 8, 1946 in Oakland, California.  The family relocated to Manteca when she was 16 years old and Ellen graduated from Manteca High School in 1964.  She received her Associate Arts degree in Communications from San Joaquin Delta College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from California State University, Sacramento in 1969. 
In May 1969, Ellen began her career with the United States Air Force as a civilian employee at McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento.  In 1982, she was transferred to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio.  She held several decorated titles, including Deputy Director of Strategic, Space and Electronic Combat Force Structure Directorate, Logistics Operation Center and retired as the Chief of the Logistics Division, Tri-Service Stand-off Attack Missile System Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.  She retired at the rank of GM-15 and throughout her career was awarded several prestigious awards, including the Defense Superior Management Award in 1991.
Ellen was one of two civilians selected to attend Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in 1987.  While in Alabama, she enrolled at the University of Auburn and earned her Masters Degree in Public Administration.
   Ellen was very involved in her community after retiring from Wright-Patterson.  She volunteered as a Local Coordinator for AARP Tax Aid Program and helped Senior Citizens prepare their respective taxes for the past 12 years.  She also volunteered at the Huber Heights Fire Department in their Home Safe Program and served 11 years on the Huber Heights Citizens Water and Sewer Advisory Board.  At the time of her passing Ellen was a member of the Huber Heights Planning Commission. In April 2014, Ellen was awarded the Huber Heights Volunteer of the Year Award.
   Ellen enjoyed all sports and was a great bowler and golfer. She loved attending the Dayton Dragons baseball games, watching the Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Football and stayed faithful to her favorite team, the SF 49ers.
   She had a beautiful spirit, was generous and loving, and left behind many family and friends in Manteca and Ohio who will always hold her in their hearts.
   Ellen will be especially missed by her sisters, Stephanie James, Diane Perry, her brothers, Paul (Mary) LaGrone, Jim (Rick) LaGrone, her Godson/nephew, Rick (Stephanie) James, nephews, Cal (Lanette) Perry, Clancy (Theresa) Perry, Phillip LaGrone, Mark (Michelle ) LaGrone, Paul Jr (Sara), Aaron and Benjamin LaGrone, nieces Colleen (James) Duran, Laura LaGrone-Lopez, and Jennifer James, and many great-nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.
   Memorial Services for Ellen were held in Huber Heights, Ohio. She will be buried with her parents at Parkview Cemetery in French Camp, California.


Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, June 7, 2014