Obituary
Gregory
(Stogie) David Labans was born to John William Labans and Delores May Smith in
Pittsburg, PA on August 22, 1949. At age 12 his mother Delores and his sister
Carol moved to San Diego, California. This was a tumultuous time in Greg’s life
and he ended up being fostered by LeRoy and Lois Judkins during his high school
years. The time with the Judkins’ was a very happy time in his young life.
After graduating from high school in 1967 he avoided the draft by enlisting in
the Air Force and was very fortunate to have spent most of his four years at
the air force base in Germany thus avoiding Vietnam.
During his time in
Germany, his son Matthew Aaron was born June 10th, 1972. The
relationship with Matt’s mother ended shortly after being released from the
military. Matt was subsequently adopted by his mother’s new husband. Stogie
always kept track of Matt and when he became an adult they reconnected even
though Matt was in Missouri. One of Greg’s greatest joys was Matt’s daughter
and Greg’s granddaughter Tiffany.
After the military
Greg earned his degree in Forestry using the GI bill. He went to college in
Idaho and was then employed by the US Forestry Service. During this time in forestry
he met and married the mother of his daughter, Sabrina Michelle Labans born
January, 23rd 1983. Because he was now a husband and father he
traded professions from forestry to corrections due to the pay, even though he
always regretted leaving forestry. He worked at Soledad State Prison as his
first assignment in corrections. Shortly after the career change the marriage
to Sabrina’s mother failed and he moved to Del Norte County to work at and
helped open Pelican Bay State Prison in 1989. It was at Pelican Bay that he
earned his nickname Stogie as he was never seen without a cigar hanging out of
his mouth. He worked, retired and lived in Del Norte County until he passed
April 29th, 2026.
The next several
years had several ups and downs for Stogie with failed relationships but he
also formed wonderful friendships with many of the officers and staff at the
prison that remained his friends until he passed on April 29th. He
met his wife Pamela Brous in 2001 at Pelican Bay. She was the RN for D Clinic
in the Secure Housing Unit and he was the clinic Lead Officer. Stogie and Pam
were both in their early fifties and a bit lost. They became fast friends that
developed into a love story. Married in 2007 they enjoyed life together for
over 25 years. They lived together in Gasquet, CA along the Smith River in the
sun belt of Del Norte County.
Stogie retired in
2008 and spent many years volunteering at Smith River School helping the
littles reading and whatever the school needed. He also coached Little League
Baseball for several years. Stogie was happiest when he and Pam, or he and
friends, or even alone fishing! He and Pam had wonderful times in his little
river jet boat. He and Pam loved baseball and went to stadiums and games all
over the USA. He loved his football and of course the Pittsburg Steelers were
his team. His favorite thing to do when he got older was to go to breakfast in
Brookings/Harbor and then walk the harbor. He made many friends of the staff at
the Blue Water Café until they closed and then Foxy’s in the harbor.
Stogie loved his
wife, family and friends! We all miss him. Stogie was preceded in death by his
parents John and Delores Labans and his sister Carol. Stogie will be interred
at the Del Norte County Veterans Cemetery on June 20, 2026. Family only. A
celebration of Life will take place that afternoon at Gasquet American Legion
Hall from 4-7pm for family and friends. Open Bar for beer and wine and a
catered buffet by Steve and Debi Kasmar.