Charles Gratiot LaGarce IV...

Charles Gratiot LaGarce IV ended his battle with prostate cancer on July 13, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on February 22, 1965, in St. Louis, MO. Above all his life was defined by his love of his family and service to others.

Charles married the love of his life, Libby on December 8th, 1990. Together they raised their four children, Emy, Hayley, Aubrey, and Charley in Monett, MO.

He served as a Special Education teacher for the Springfield Public School systems for 25 years where he was a beloved teacher and mentor.

After his retirement from teaching, he ran the Monett YMCA aquatics where he was able to devote himself full time to coaching swim, training lifeguards, and teaching people of all ages the joy of swimming.

He was a coach for the Monett Water Thrashers, Monett High School girls and boys teams, and the Monett YMCA Water Thrashers. He changed the lives of thousands of kids from both his own team and from competing teams with his mentorship and encouragement. His gift was his passionate love of swimming which he shared with everyone he could.

When he wasn't at the pool, which his grandchildren refer to as Papa’s house, he could be found enjoying one of his many other hobbies with his family. Charles was a talented fly fisherman and spent countless hours at Roaring River State Park fishing for rainbow trout.

He also loved to be in the outdoors camping with his family. His happy place was around a campfire that he started. He was an incredibly skilled outdoorsman that loved to share his knowledge and love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren.

Anyone who knew him is blessed to have been a part of is incredible life. He will be missed by an enormous community of people that he touched on his time on earth.

He is survived by his wife Libby, four children Emily Jo, Hayley (Alex) Grace, Aubrey (Mitch) Strouse, Charley (Heather) LaGarce V, his grandchildren, Haven Strouse, Sophia LaGarce, Oliver Strouse, Cosette Grace, and a grandson, Wesley Charles Strouse, expected in October. He is also survived by his parents, Charles III & Sandy LaGarce, and Jean Boyd (Brante Braswell). He leaves behind his 7 loving siblings and numerous nephews, nieces, and great nephew and nieces.

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The family will be holding a private service at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett, MO.

There will be a Celebration of Life that is open to all who knew him on Sunday, July 21st at the Monett Park Casino from 4:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Freedom Bank of Southwest Missouri in Monett to his benefit account. All funds will go towards his final expenses.

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Diamond State Cremation. Condolences may be left at www.DiamondStateCremation.com.