Services set for longtime MSU professor who died in drowning

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ)

9/13/22, 9:55 a.m.

Services have been set for the longtime MSU professor who died in a drowning last week.

A gathering of family and friends will be held Sunday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m., followed by a time of sharing at 4 p.m. at the Clark Legacy Center in Frankfort for Dr. Gary LaFleur.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to the MSU Foundation to support the Dr. Gary LaFleur Scholarship Fund for students studying strategic communication. Memorial contributions can be mailed to:

MSU Foundation
121 E. 2nd Street, Suite 107
Morehead, KY 40351

or contributions can be made online at https://alumni.moreheadstate.edu/LaFleur.

Dr. LaFleur is survived by his wife, Cathie Long, and children, Aubin (Craig) Whitaker, Alyssa (Nathan) Marcucci and James (Sheila) LaFleur; his sister, Doreen (Roy) Lapan; his grandchildren, Danielle, Alayna, Thomas, Frances, John, Louis and Lucia; and niece, Lindsay Lapan.  

9/9/22, 8:30 a.m.

A Morehead State University professor died in a drowning at Herrington Lake Thursday afternoon.

Dr. Gary LaFleur was on a johnboat when he fell into the water as someone was trying to secure the boat to a trailer, according to Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.

A flotation device was thrown to the 71-year-old, which he was able to hold onto until he got to land and a witness began CPR. He was then taken to a hospital in Harrodsburg where he was pronounced dead.

MSU issued a statement saying the following:

“The Morehead State family is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. LaFleur. He has been a devoted professor in the field of communications for 50 years, the last 32 at Morehead State University. Our faculty and staff send our thoughts and prayers to Dr. LaFleur’s family.”

Fish and Wildlife says the investigation is ongoing.