LaVelle A. Ormsbee, or "Red" to many, peacefully passed away July 24, 2016, in the presence of his family. He had been under the kind and compassionate care of Ozark Riverview Manor. Husband of Barbara Gideon Ormsbee for sixty years, Red was born November 7, 1927, in Augusta, Kansas, to George R. Ormsbee and Claudia O'Dell Ormsbee.

Red attended elementary school in the Buffalo Missouri Public Schools, and high school in Rolla, Missouri.   At age 18, he enlisted in the Army Air Corp (later US Air Force), serving as a medic, Air EVAC, and company clerk. He graduated from Drury College in 1951 with Departmental Distinction in Music and later obtained a master's degree in music education from the University of Colorado-Boulder. It was while attending Drury College that he met, and later married, Barbara Gideon, the daughter of Judge and Mrs. Robert L. Gideon of Forsyth, Missouri. Red's lineage demonstrated a deep interest in and aptitude for music. Symphony conductor Chester Moffatt was a cousin, and his great-grandmother Mary Rameau descended from the French composer Jean Philippe Rameau. Although he played with nationally known musicians and had opportunities to become a professional trombonist, he chose instead to dedicate himself to family, teaching—especially enjoying teaching new learners—fostering music education in the community, and supporting musical organizations such as the Springfield Opera.

He taught vocal and instrumental music in the public schools of Rogersville for one year, Branson for thirteen years, and Springfield for nineteen years.   Following retirement from the public schools, he served at MSU for ten years as a supervisor of student teachers.

Red performed as Principal Trombonist in the Springfield Symphony Orchestra for eight seasons, and was bandmaster of the Missouri National Guard's 135th Army Band for ten years. He performed professionally as a dance band leader or musician throughout most of his adult life. Other activities included terms as President of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 150, and President of the Southwest Missouri Music Educators Association.

He also had an intense interest in travel to Mexico. He took great delight in traveling with his horn on local busses, joining local bands in town squares throughout the country, and using music to make new friends all along the way.

He is survived by: son Arthur (Chris) Ormsbee of Rogersville, his wife Nancy, and their sons Carmine and Vinnie Ingenito; daughter Melissa Fogelberg of Orono, Minnesota, her husband Paul, and their daughters Emily, Julia and Sara; and brother Marcus Ormsbee of Cedarville, Ohio, and his wife Ethel. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; his parents; his brothers Vance, Herschel, and Dr. Robert Ormsbee; and his sister, Nora Coppage.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, July 30, 2016, at Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Services will be preceded by visitation from 1:00 – 2:00pm. Burial will be at a later date at Missouri Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Habitat for Humanity, Grupo Latinoamericano, or Doctors Without Borders.