Donald L. LaVelle, USN, Capt., Ret., 82, of Yulee passed away Thursday, November 16, 2017 surrounded by his family at the Warner Center for Caring.

Born in Los Angeles, CA, he was the son of the late Merrell and Florence Cummings LaVelle. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy at the age of 17. He eventually served as an officer and rose to the rank of Captain. During his career he had many duty assignments including Executive Officer of the Submarine Base, Bangor, WA; Commanding Officer of the Submarine Base, Charleston, SC and retiring in 1991 as the Commanding Officer the Submarine Base, Kings Bay, GA.

After retirement in 1993 he and his wife, Meriam made their home in Fernandina Beach. He was a loving husband and father known for his sense of humor. He will be remembered for waking the family up early on Saturdays to get an early start on the day which was representative of his sense of humor.

Donald�s interests varied from fishing to motorcycles to photography and Tai-Chi. He also loved reading and music and was known to sing any song he loved.

He was predeceased by his parents and his first wife, Yukiko.

He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Meriam LaVelle; his children, Donna McMillin of Keller, TX; Donald T. Lavelle and his wife, Chise, of Hiroshima, Japan; Maria Young and her husband, Dylan, of St. Marys and Lawrence Zamites of Yulee; his sister, Arline Hultsch of San Diego, CA and his grandchildren, Katrina, Kyle, Sascha, and Alayna.

Funeral services for Captain LaVelle will be held Monday, November 20, 2017 at 4:00 PM in the Burgess Chapel of Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors. The family will receive friends beginning at 3:00 PM.

Captain Lavelle will be laid to rest at Jacksonville National Cemetery with military honors at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Captain LaVelle�s name to: Alzheimer�s Association, 4237 Salisbury Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216