LaMar Jorgensen

LaMar Jorgensen
Manti, Utah

    LaMar James Jorgensen left this mortal realm on November 7, 2022, after a lengthy illness, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Ephraim, Utah, March 13, 1933, to Joseph Lyman Leonard and Emma Lydia Thompson Jorgensen. He was the seventh of eleven children.  He grew up in Ephraim, attending school in Ephraim, graduating from Snow High School, in 1951. After working on a construction crew for a time, LaMar entered the US Army during the Korean conflict. 
    Upon returning from military service, LaMar worked at the Ephraim Roller Mills prior to graduation from Snow College, then Utah State University in Logan where he graduated with honors in Phi Kappa Phi in 1961.  
    LaMar married Merilyn Anderson, of Manti, on June 19, 1959. They moved to Manti after his graduation from USU.  He worked for the Utah State Fish and Game for a time before working for the USDA, Soil Conservation for the next 40 years. Work for this department (now NRCS) took him all over Sanpete County, into Juab, Sevier, and even as far as Garfield County, where he has planned, surveyed and supervised construction of countless irrigation systems, ponds, and reservoirs. He was well-respected by farmers and those in his field, receiving many honors for outstanding service, including a national award in Washington, DC.    
    Church service was also an important part of life for LaMar.  He has served in three bishoprics of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as many other leadership positions.  He was also a 'fixture' on the 'BBQ turkey crew' for the Mormon Miracle Pageant for decades, followed by the job of cashier at the Pageant dinners for many more years.  Following his retirement from the NRCS, LaMar served for over a decade as an ordinance worker in the Manti Temple, claiming that as his favorite calling in life next to father to his family.  He sadly retired October 2016, because of health limitations. 
    LaMar is survived by his sweetheart Merilyn; and six brilliant children (with four fabulous spouses): Karyn Jo (Ron) Halls, Michael James (Kristina), Todd Fredrick (Selma), Rebecca Kae, and Kristofer Lynn (Melinda).  He is also survived by 17 awesomely perfect and talented grandchildren/spouses, 8+ perfectly beautiful great-grandchildren; and sisters: Dorothy and Beverly; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and countless nieces and nephews.
    Preceded in death by son, Kevin Lamar Jorgensen; parents, Lyman Leonard and Emma Lydia Jorgensen; and siblings Budd, Morris, Roger, Ruth, Leda, Ray, Kent, and Gary.
    Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the Manti Stake Center, where friends may call Sunday from 6-7 p.m. and als prior to services on Monday from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Burial will be in the Manti City Cemetery with military honors by the Manti American Legion Post #31 and Utah Honor Guard.  Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook and live streaming of the services at www.maglebymortuary.com under LaMar's obituary.