Col. Wm. F. LaFon
Dr. William F. LaFon, Norman, is celebrating his 103rd birthday at his home in Norman this week. He was born Sept. 3, 1913, north of Edmond.
Following graduation from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine and a residency in Wichita, Dr. LaFon opened his first practice in Waynoka where he practiced family medicine and was also the official railroad division point physician. He later moved his practice to Alva to be near a hospital.
In a video interview at his home in Norman, conducted by Waynoka Historical Society president Sandie Olson, he related his experiences when Alva physicians were called to help care for victims of a massive tornado in Woodward, 88 miles southwest of Alva, in 1947.
Arriving by car in Woodward, they found the town in total darkness with no practical way of treating the injured. The decision was made to transport the victims by train to Alva General Hospital. Patients in Alva who were able to be dismissed were sent home to make more rooms available. Dormitories at Northwestern State College, now NWOSU, were made available as well.
Later, the doctor answered the call for physicians to join the military. He served in France as well as at other bases, including Vance AFB, where he served as commander.
Dr. LaFon enjoys his family – daughter Ann and her husband live next door in Norman, and son John and family in California – and also his beautiful yard. At the time of the interview, he had ordered 100 rosebushes that would be planted in the spring, and they were.
Reader Comments(0)