Charles August LeFebre IV's Obituary
Gus was one of five children in his family. His siblings were Mary Ellen (who died at an early age), Rosemary, Annie, and Martha.
Gus passed on from this life on September 2, 2025. His wife Mary and family members were by his side when he passed.
Born in Flint, Michigan, Gus moved with his family to Indianapolis at the age of four. He attended Saint Joan of Arc Elementary School and Cathedral High School, from which he graduated in 1959. Throughout his life, Gus was known to his friends and family for his friendly and generous nature. He kept in touch with several friends from his childhood and into his later years. In his youth, Gus began developing a life-long appreciation for music. While in high school, he played drums in Cathedral’s pep band, as well as in a jazz band with friends. He also began developing his mechanical knowledge and skills. Starting in his late teens and into his early 20’s, he volunteered as an assistant with the mechanical crew for race car driver Parnelli Jones.
While in high school, Gus met his future wife and business partner, Mary Louise Keene. Gus and Mary often reminisced about their first date in September of 1959 at the Indiana State Fair. They married on January 5, 1963. In the early years of their marriage, Gus and Mary lived in West Lafayette, Indiana, where Gus attended Purdue University. He remained a proud alumni of Purdue throughout his life. After earning his Bachelor of Science in industrial management in 1965, Gus and his growing family moved to
Chicago. Within the span of a few years, they moved to Baltimore and then back to Indianapolis. For the first 17 years of his career, Gus worked in machine shops, honing expertise in metal milling.
Gus also loved sports, as both a participant and a spectator. Like his father, he had a passion for golf. However, in 1969, the year the family returned to Indianapolis, Gus devoted more of his leisure time to tennis. According to family lore, this change of heart was actually due to a ploy by Mary as a way for her to ensure spending more time with Gus. For many years, Gus and Mary would spend many weekend mornings with friends and family on the tennis courts.
The LeFebre family resided in Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana up until 1978, at which time the family relocated to Grosse Pointe Michigan near Detroit. While in Grosse Pointe, Gus managed Milling Specialties, Inc. in Warren Michigan for the Theo Smith family while the son in the family, Steve Smith, finished university.
In 1983, Gus and Mary set out to open their own business, relocating to Richardson, Texas, near Dallas, and established the Industrial Supply Company of Texas, more commonly known as IPSCOT, Inc. Growing the business to be an important player in the industrial pumps distribution industry was one of Gus’ proudest accomplishments. Mary once heard him referred to as “Mr. Adhesive” because of his talent for finding the right systems to dispense adhesives and other materials in manufacturing. In his work, Gus travelled to most of the industrial cities in the US and Mexico. He loved the challenges the work provided and opportunities to meet people. Gus and Mary credit much of IPSCOT’s success to James Flores (a.k.a. “Mr. IPSCOT”), whose loyalty, talents, and friendships were unsurpassed. After growing the business for many years, Gus and Mary sold IPSCOT, Inc. upon their retirement in 2014.
During his years in Texas, Gus returned to the golf courses as his preferred leisure activity. He was an active member of the McKinney Country Club and served as the treasurer briefly. In his final years, when he was less mobile, Gus still enjoyed many sports as an enthusiastic spectator.
In addition to his wife Mary, Gus is survived by his sisters, Rosemary Mahoney, Anne Bradley, and Martha Horvath; his children, Sheila Ortega (Mario), Michael (Beth), and Marc (Thea); his grandchildren, Rafael, Franki, Cypress, and Leopold; as well as his nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.
For those interested in making a charitable contribution in Gus’ honor, the family requests donations go to Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary of the Woods. Donations can be made at [https://spsmw.org/donate/].
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