La Fon Carabo Dees, 84, of Atlanta, passed away peacefully, September 6, 2021, at the Terraces at Peachtree Hills Place in Atlanta after a few years of declining health. La Fon was born in Bennettsville, S.C. on August 13, 1937 and was the son of the late Allie and Willie Ray Dees. He is survived by his wife Winston Clark Dees to whom he was lovingly married for over 58 years.
La Fon grew up in Bennettsville, S.C. where he graduated from Bennettsville High School and played football and baseball. After high school, La Fon attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C. earning a B.A. in Business. While attending Wofford, La Fon was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order Fraternity. Years later, he was recognized as a recipient and member of the John Temple Grave Province Court of Honor which is awarded to loyal alumnus who have distinguished themselves by continuing their service and interest in the Order as an active alumnus in both private and public life. Also, as an alumnus of Wofford, La Fon was very active with the college leadership as a past member of the college’s national alumni board. In addition, he was a founding member of the Wofford College Endowment Investment Advisory Committee to help oversee the college’s endowment while also establishing the La Fon and Winston Dees Family Basketball Scholarship along with several other athletic scholarships.
After graduating Wofford, La Fon proudly served over 2 years in the U. S. Army as First LT. Airborne Ranger Company Commander based at Fort Leonard Wood, MO.
La Fon spent many years in the sales and sales management field and later transitioned to his true passion of the financial industry. Prior to his retirement in 2015, La Fon was a Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley for 32 years. His strong personal interest in finance and investment lead to a very successful career in helping many clients and their families. He loved reading “anything financial” and applied a strong work ethic when helping and serving others with their investments and finances. He was recognized many years as both a President’s and Chairman’s Council member.
Personally, La Fon was known for strong love of his family and having never met a stranger. He and his wife Winston first met on a blind date and dated 2 ½ years while being apart and overcoming the odds by staying connected both writing many letters and occasional phone calls. La Fon’s personal interest included dining, traveling in the U.S. and abroad, spending time at Hilton Head Island with his family, as well as watching both Wofford College and UGA athletics. La Fon loved watching anything sports. Both he and Winston have been long time members of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church for many years after moving to Atlanta in 1972.
La Fon is also survived by his daughter Kimberly D. Earle (Steve) along with grandchildren; Andrew B. Earle and Ansley E. Earle all of Atlanta. In addition, La Fon is survived by his brother David Dees (Sonya) of Greenwood, S.C., and two sisters Vivian Dees of Wake Forest, N.C. and Linda Dees Halbritter of Charleston, S.C. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim Dees (Shirley) and Ray Dees.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to: The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) 3525 Piedmont Road NE, Building 6, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30305 or online www.jdrf.org and also Peachtree Road United Methodist Church 3180 Peachtree Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30305 or online at www.prumc.org
A graveside service will be held Thursday, the 9th of September at three o’clock in the afternoon at Arlington Memorial Park, Mount Vernon Road, Sandy Springs, GA. Arrangements by H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Road, NE, Sandy Springs.
