LaMar W LeFevre

LaMar LeFevre

Tropic, Utah

LaMar LeFevre, 92, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2018, in St. George, Utah. Born to Leslie and Flora Johnson LeFevre on March 8, 1926, in Tropic, Utah, LaMar was the second oldest of nine children.

LaMar grew up on the land. As a boy, he watched his grandfather’s sheep for weeks on end without a soul in sight, and helped his family garden and hunt near Willis Creek to survive the Great Depression together. Throughout his life, LaMar also found ways to serve beyond his family. He started during high school when he was elected the student body president and continued by postponing the rest of his senior year to join the United States Navy Medical Corps during World War II.

Never one to leave things unfinished, LaMar completed his GED during his military service and married his high school sweetheart, Ethel Clark, on December 6, 1944, in Vallejo, California. Their marriage was solemnized in the Logan Temple on February 27, 1948. She preceded him in death July 17, 2018.

After the war, LaMar and Ethel packed up an old car to move to Logan, Utah where he attended Utah State University courtesy of the GI Bill and graduated with a degree in education. LaMar later earned a Masters of Education at the University of Nevada in Reno and began teaching in Henrieville, Utah. LaMar continued his education career as an elementary school principal in Hawthorne and later moved to Las Vegas as Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Nevada where he designed educational programs until his retirement in 1985.

Never a couple to sit idly by, LaMar and Ethel then followed their hearts back to Tropic, where they became the owner of the town’s first bed and breakfast. Known for his scrambled eggs, hunting stories, and rose bushes, LaMar also served in leadership roles for the Lions Club, which took him across the world; as Tropic’s town manager where he secured funding for the firehouse; as a member of the Garfield County Hospital Board; and numerous positions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in a bishopric, scouting, and Sunday School classes.

Between his community service, LaMar also found time to reconnect with his roots. With his cowboy hat and bolo tie on, he’d take family and friends on personal tours through Bryce Canyon and Garfield County in his ex-Forest Service green Suburban. Many of his grandchildren learned how to hunt rabbits and fish during these visits, and all were privy to his bear story, "You Are My Sunshine" humming, pine gum chewing, and cow pie races. His smile was as bright as his bonfires, and he often showcased it during town parades and when each of his grandchildren received a resounding "Happy Birthday" song as soon as they picked up the phone on their special day.

LaMar’s heart was always in Southern Utah and with his family. During his final days, he urged family and friends to stay strong in the gospel, love their families, be grateful, and be happy. This advice was everything that encompassed his life and his legacy.

LaMar is survived by his children: Lynn (Karen) LeFevre, Leslie (Dela) LeFevre, Susan (Jon) Moody, and Clark (Stacey) LeFevre; 13 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren; siblings: Dale (Olene) LeFevre, Reed (Mary) LeFevre and Velma Willis.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Ethel; parents; siblings: Ellis J. LeFevre,

John Lyle LeFevre, Russell Johnson LeFevre, Mary LeFevre, and Leslie Von "Bonnie" LeFevre.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2018, at 12:00 Noon in the Tropic Ward Chapel, 41 N 100 W, Tropic, where family will greet friends from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Burial with military honors will follow at the Tropic Cemetery located at 324 N 50 W. Funeral Directors: Magleby Mortuary, Richfield, Salina and Manti. Online guestbook at www.maglebymortuary.com