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James LaVanway Obituary
LaVanway
June 10, 2022
James M. LaVanway, 83, went home to the Lord in the early afternoon of June 10th. Born to Michigan small business owners Gordon and Mildred LaVanway, he attended the University of Michigan, graduating with an M.D. A member of the medical fraternity Nu Sigma Nu, he met the love of his life and wife of 55 years, Charlene Steinmetz while at UM.
He shipped out to Vietnam in 1970, serving as a Major and surgeon at the 27th MASH in Chu Lai, Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star. Upon discharge from the Army, he started a small medical practice in the city. As the city grew, so did Colorado Springs Surgical Associates, which recruited excellent partner surgeons and grew into the dominant surgical group for the region. As a physician, he was known for his superb technical skill, his meticulous cool, his devotion to patients, and his ability to teach young surgeons in the operating room. Beyond his practice, he contributed significantly to the healthcare facilities for the city, including the bariatric surgery and trauma centers at the Centura/Penrose - St. Francis health system.
He will be remembered as a key leader in the development of surgical care in the City of Colorado Springs, as an excellent physician, and as a teacher of the City's current generation of general surgeons. He will meet his wife, Char, and brother Gordon in heaven, and is survived by his daughter, Kristi LaVanway; son Andrew LaVanway & daughter-in-law Cara LaVanway along with his two granddaughters, Sophia and Olivia.
The family invites you to join a memorial service celebrating Jim's life at 1:00 p.m. MDT on Friday, June 17, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church (219 E Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903). A private interment is scheduled separately.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James LaVanway
3 Entries
Heidi Ocken
June 23, 2024
6/2024
I found out a few months ago that Dr. Lavanway had passed away. I wish I would have known sooner to come give my condolences at his memorial service. I was the back office nurse for Dr. Lavanway, and the other three Doctors at Colorado Springs Surgical Associates (CSSA) from 1992-95 in the Margery Reed bldg. And again had the privilege to work for CSSA from 2014 to 2018.
Dr. Lavanway, was one of the best docs I had ever worked for. He was very professional, meticulous to no end, (maybe a little OCD) arranging his 3-4 pens on his desk all the time. : )
He was very thorough and efficient. He genuinely cared for his patients. I also had the pleasure of seeing him and Char make visits to CSSA after he had retired. He set a high standard as his skills as a surgeon were impeccable. As a doctor, he set an example for me as to what to look for in a surgeon. Thank you, Dr. Lavanway, for the opportunity to work for you and to know you for so many years. Grateful, Heidi Ocken.
Deborah James RN CCRN
June 17, 2022
I adored this man and his commitment to patients. Impeccable character! he always respected nurses ...I will pray for comfort for his family. Such a loss. I will remember him fondly. Rip Doc
Jerrold Bruce Carpenter
June 15, 2022
Cousin; to Jim´s sister-in-law, Beverly (Gordon) La Vanway. I was general manager of Custom Tier Center here in the Springs, back in the day, and the Doc brought me their vehicles for service, but never got past talking family, to discover our mutual vacation in South East Asia. Jim was a gentleman, a devoted family man, with a real servant´s heart. Our sincere condolences to Kristi, Andrew and the rest of the family.
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