Edward Warren Latvatalo

Edward Warren Latvatalo, of Lake Limestone, passed away June 15, 2010. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 P.M., Saturday, June 19th, at the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel. A private burial will follow at Faulkenberry Cemetery in Groesbeck, Texas. Ed was born in New York, New York on September 6, 1934. He spent the early part of his childhood in the Upper Peninsula area of Michigan, where his love of the outdoors began. He later moved to Chicago before joining the Army in 1954. Ed married his wife, Deborah deNoyelles, on February 15, 1957 in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from North Texas State University in 1961. Ed had a long and successful career as a computer programmer and consultant. Ed remained a lifelong and proud resident of Texas, where he and Debbie raised four children. He enjoyed being outdoors, especially being around the salt water. Although he made his living in the computer field, Ed was an engineer at heart who loved to work with his hands and had a unique ability and passion for planning and building projects. He designed and built the home he and Debbie dreamed of and where they retired on Lake Limestone. All three generations of the family love to gather and share good times there. He thoroughly enjoyed being surrounded by loved ones at his home. Ed was a self made man of tremendous character, strength, courage, kindness, and intelligence. He possessed incredible energy and drive and his positive influence on the entire family was profound and lives on through his wife, children, grandchildren, and loved ones. He led by example and was truly a great man who was universally loved and respected. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Aino Latvatalo, sister Helen Jane Vodd, and an aunt and uncle, Vi and Ray Takala. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Latvatalo; daughter, Julie Latvatalo Smith of Coppell; three sons, John Latvatalo and wife Marla of Carrollton, David Latvatalo and wife Julie of North Richland Hills, and Brian Latvatalo of College Station; grandchildren John Warren Latvatalo of San Marcos, Jessica Latvatalo of Addison, Joshua Latvatalo of Carrollton, Matthew Smith of Coppell, and Jake Bransford of North Richland Hills; and a multitude of friends and extended family. Memorial contributions can be made in Ed Latvatalo’s name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.