David R. LaVance, Sr., 84, of Gainesville, Georgia, died Saturday, October 13, 2012 in Gainesville after a short illness.

He was born in Spring Lake, New Jersey, November 9, 1927, one of the nine children of the late Charles E. LaVance and Pearl Morton LaVance of Manasquan, NJ. He married Lorraine M. (Dura) LaVance on December 6, 1952 and together they had four sons and eight grandchildren.

After graduation from Manasquan High School in 1945, he enlisted in the US Army and served until 1947. He attended college on the GI Bill, graduating from Bucknell University and was a member of the SAE Fraternity with a BS in Business Economics in 1952.

Mr. LaVance joined Playtex International in Dover, Delaware and made his 37 year business career exclusively with Playtex. He was an operations and manufacturing executive, and held positions in Newnan, LaGrange and Manchester, Georgia; and in Dover, Delaware. His last position was in Paramus, NJ as Coordinating Director Research & Development International Operations. During his business years, he was an active leader with the Boy Scouts of America and was a member of the Kiwanis Club and a Member of the local American Legion. He retired to Gainesville, Georgia, in 1988, and lived on Lake Lanier, where he was an avid boater and gardener.

Mr. LaVance was predeceased by two sons, Thad “Ted” LaVance of Duluth, Georgia and Mark F. LaVance of Bloomington, Indiana. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine, and two sons, David LaVance, Jr. and wife Martha of Raleigh, NC, and Steven C. LaVance Sr and wife Melisa of Lake City, FL. Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Steven, Nicholas, Grace, Brielle, Elizabeth, Caroline, Jack and Brandon LaVance.

Service’s were held Graveside at Alta Vista Cementery in Gainesville, GA on Oct 15th , at 3 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Ronnie Green Heart Center of the Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Gainesville, GA

Little & Davenport Funeral Home, Gainesville, Ga. is in charge of arrangements.