Viewing page 10 of 12

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

After the war he returned to barnstorming in the mid-west, then later was a [[strikethrough]] the [[strikethrough]] pilot for a Kansas City firm which [[strikethrough]] who [[/strikethrough]] had purchased a plane for business travel. In 1922, while stationed in Kasas City, he obtained a regional dealership for Waco planes [[strikethrough]] in 1922 [[/strikethrough]] which he continued to hold for over twenty years.

Settling in Kansas City he became one of the leading figured in promoting aviation and in the establishment of the Municipal Airport [[strikethrough]] facility [[/strikethrough]]. Through the 1920's he was always a nationally known contestant in all major air tours, air races and flying contests of any type.

In January, 1927, he was co-founder of the LaGrone-Grant Aircraft Company of Kansas City which [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]] handled a full line of aircraft accessories and supplies at Richards Field, and in 1928 added the Stinson Aircraft agency to this business.

In 1929 La Grone was one of three men to form the JWNE Quinn Aircraft Corporation at Kansas City to manufacture, repair and operate aircraft and deal in supplies. During this period he often flew charter planes for the Kansas City "Star" on news coverage jaunts. In the 1930's he continued to provide airplane [[strikethrough]] was still the Waco distributor with [[/strikethrough]] sales and service facilities at the Kansas City Municipal Airport.

During World Ward II LaGrone was test pilot for North AMerican Aviation Corporation at their Kansas City plant.

Soon after war, Waco went out of business and LaGrone sarted handling Phillips Petroleum products in addition to his flying service.

[[strikethrough]] There [[/strikethrough]] LaGrone passed away at Kansas City on April 12, 1953, at age 82. He was survived by his wife, a sister and two brothers. He was an Early Bird.

Flying Pioneer [[strikethrough]] , Early Bird [[/strikethrough]] John K. "Tex" La Grone was a lifelong aviation pilot, instructor, dealer and true air enthusiast. With over forty years in the business, few men [[strikethrough]] indeed [[/strikethrough]] contributed more to promote [[strikethrough]] all [[/strikethrough]] aviation. Nationally known and highly respected, his name well deserves a prominent spot on early American aviation history.