Frank LaMarque passed away peacefully on Dec. 16 after a prolonged struggle with respiratory disease.

Born in St. Louis, MO, to Frank and Lillian LaMarque, Frank attended Sumner High School and later the University of Missouri, where he made friendships that have lasted a lifetime.

During the Vietnam War, Frank enlisted in the military, serving as a medic in the US Army. While stationed in Germany, Frank met Suzanne and Clarisse Robert, and, at their invitation, came to Lake Tahoe. One look at the lake, and Frank decided he was never leaving.

For the next 56 years, Frank made Tahoe City his home, starting by managing Joe Marillac’s Squaw Valley ski shop. Frank later opened Frank’s Tunes, which later became Jobey’s Records, which he co-owned for many years. He later moved to become a supervisor for Sierra Rainbow Painting for over 25 years, and lastly, as he was approaching retirement, he worked at A Santes Lakeside Fitness.

Frank married Andrea Streepy and fathered a daughter, Aisha Carmel, who tragically died in early adulthood, leaving four grandchildren, for whom Frank acted as guardian until his death.

Before his health betrayed him, Frank’s love for the game of golf would have him on the course in Tahoe City regularly, keeping the greens keepers busy repairing divots. When he finally got a hole-in-one, he became an incurable golfaholic.

But what he did cure was his struggle with alcohol. A recovered alcoholic, Frank threw himself into the AA program with passion and became a model for others on their path to sobriety. In his 35 years sober, he sponsored many people and literally saved many lives.

His huge grin, infectious laugh, and heart of gold will be sorely missed by all the many friends he had in this community and by all that he touched along the way.

A celebration of life is planned for Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at the Tahoe City Golf Course.