LaMar “Umpy” Umphrey
May 12, 1925 - February 16, 2005
LaMar at Faye’s House in Utah, 1980
LaMar with his crew during WWII
LaMar “Umpy” Umphrey
Orval LaMar Umphrey passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2005.
LaMar was born May 12, 1925 in Rexburg, Idaho to Joseph F. Umphrey and Bessie Marie Ard.
LaMar was raised on a dry farm in Canyon Creek, Idaho near Rexburg. He drove truck all his life. He bought his first truck when he was 15 year old, a 1935 Chevy. For the next three years he hauled coal and grain out of Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. He ran this business driving truck until he was drafted into World War Two. He ran this business until he was drafted into World War II. “I knew they’d let me know when they needed me,” he remembered. After boot camp he volunteered for the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in England where he was a tail gunner on B-17s, flying missions over Germany.
In 1949 he married Elda Westover and for the next five years they lived different places along the Montana Hi-Line as LaMar followed highway construction jobs. In 1955 he came to the Mission Valley to build Highway 93 over Ravalli Hill. After that project the company left, but LaMar and Elda were expecting a new baby so they stayed in St. Ignatius.
They remained in the valley for the next five decades. LaMar worked in the logging business until his retirement. He drove for Lyman Claridge for eight years and then also worked for Leonard Pierce, Luke Trahan, Tom Wheeler, Ray Cooper and Richard Burtch.
After he retired LaMar dedicated his time to yard work and gardening at his home along Mission Creek.
LaMar was preceded in death by his ten brothers and sisters and his sons Eddie and Eldon.
He is survived by his sister Nita Bainbridge and his children Faye (Larry) Garlock of Bountiful, Utah; Michael (Valerie) of St. Ignatius, Montana, Laura Hauck of Bountiful, Utah, John (Coreen) Umphrey of Polson, Montana, Kenneth Umphrey of Reno, Nevada, and Jim (Jessica) of St. Ignatius, Montana. He is also survived by twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be 7-9 p.m. Sunday February 20 at the Foster & Durgeloh Funeral Home in S. Ignatius. Memorial Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday, February 21, 2005 at the St. Ignatius LDS church.
The Mission Valley Honor Guard at LaMar’s Funeral, February 21, 2005
Jim accepts the U.S. flag given to honor LaMar for his time in the service
Memories of LaMar collected and displayed at the funeral