God in His infinite wisdom and power called His precious and dedicated servant home April 13, 2025 from labor to a land far fairer than ours.

On August 19, 1949, Alvin Lagrone and Hattie Hollis Lagrone was blessed with a precious baby boy. He was born in Chicago, Illinois. Later Deforest's mother moved her family back to Columbus, Miss.

Deforest joined Hopewell Baptist Church at an early age. Deforest spend his younger days surrounded by his beloved grandparents Jessie Lee and Ada Bee Hollis. There he cultivated an everlasting bond with his two young twin uncle, Billy Gene and Billy Joe Hollis. After graduation the trio moved to Los Angeles, CA.  There they joined Jeff Hollis (his uncle) at Bethlehem Steel where he started his career as a Grinder Operator. He worked in the steel industry until he retired in 2004.

Deforest married Etta Logan Hayden in 1980. They raised two children Micheal and Tekesha. Deforest and Etta enjoyed frequent travel through out the US, Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Deforest and Etta finally settled in their second dream home in Oktaha, OK in 2009. There he found his new best buddies Hollis and Gabe Logan. He also joined the New Hope Baptist Church and worked on the trustee board.

Deforest's most beloved accomplishments were his children and grandchildren, especially teaching them to fish. His personal life's philosophy was always to "enjoy the little things, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things".

Deforest was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and sister Deborah Lagrone Davis.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife Etta, son Micheal (Inez) Greeley, CO; daughter Tekesha (Los Angeles, CA) grandson: Ellis, Darren, Matthew and Jabari. granddaughters Isis and Amelia. Five sisters: Alvina Lagrone Mosley (Aberdeen, Miss), Alnora Lagrone Thomas (MI), Dorothy Lagrone Harvey (OH), Yvonne Lagrone Charles (TX) and Allaire Lagrone (WI). Two beloved uncle Billy Gene and Billy Joe Hollis and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

A Home Going Celebration is scheduled, Friday, May 9th, 2025 , 11:00 a.m., New Hope Baptist Church, 8500 S. 40th St. W.,  Oktaha, OK; with Pastor Michael Logan delivering eulogy. Interment will follow in New Hope Cemetery, Oktaha, OK.

The family has been cared for House of Winn-Muskogee