Our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, and Great-Great Grandfather, LaMar James Ashby, passed away on December 17, 2022. He was 93 years old. LaMar was born on August 22, 1929 to Ralph T. Ashby and Emily Elizabeth Wood.
LaMar grew up on the family farm in Fielding, Utah working side by side with his dad and brothers. LaMar farmed in those early years with horses until his dad purchased one of the first tractors to be used in the area.
Dad has told us all of the many adventures he had while growing up on the farm with his brothers. One story he related to me was that he and Marvin decided they were bank robbers, so they put the “loot” in a tin can, set it up with fire crackers and lite the fuse! They also enlisted their younger sisters to be saloon girls while dad and Marvin were the cowboys.
LaMar attended Bear River High School, graduating in 1948. He continued to work on the farm until receiving a mission call to New Zealand from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He served there for 2 years. He made many friends and taught the gospel to many people. When he returned from his mission he enlisted in the Army, he served in Fort Ord California and Fort Benning Georgia.
During the time between his mission and his enlistment he met Alice Julene Winter. They were married on November 26, 1952 while Lamar was on leave and then traveled to Fort Benning together. LaMar and Julene returned to Utah in 1953 when dad was discharged from the army. They began living in Fielding where LaMar returned to farming.
Lamar later attended Utah State University and worked at Cache Valley Dairy as a mechanic. He moved his family to Tremonton where he owned and operated his own mechanic shop, the Auto Hospital. Later the family moved to Wellsville and LaMar partnered with his older brother in a vending machine business, Ashco Vending. After that he worked for Bullen’s Inc. as a mechanic/welder. He installed sprinkler systems throughout Utah and southern Idaho.
LaMar retired to a small farm in Newton, where he continued to enjoy farming. He especially enjoyed farming with his teams of Belgian horses.
Lamar was devoted to his church, serving in many callings including Elders Quorum Pres., High Councilman, financial clerk, Home teacher and word missionary with Julene.
LaMar and Julene spent 23 months serving a mission together in New Zealand. They took dad’s skill with horses and served in Nauvoo, Illinois. They served at the Bishop’s Storehouse in Logan and then finally served in Sheep Springs, New Mexico on the reservation.
After all these travels they returned to the farm in Newton. In later years Lamar turned the farming over to his son Jared. Dad still kept busy gardening, feeding his chickens and spoiling Julene. He often told her; “she was the best wife he ever had” and the most beautiful.
Lamar is survived by his wife of 70 years, Julene Ashby. His 13 children; Tina (Dale)Smith; James (Sharon) Ashby; Tranette(Dave) Carlisle; Kevin(Sarah) Ashby; Balinda(Robert) Whetstone; Bart(Peggy)Ashby; Alice(Rod)Christensen; David (Maria)Ashby; Jared(Camille)Ashby; Elizabeth (Karl) Decker; Farina(Steve) Buttars; Ruth(Brent)Palmer; Miriam(Bob) Sagers.
There are 57 grandchildren; 104 great grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren and 54 spouses. LaMar is preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers and 2 daughters-in-law.
Funeral services are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Home. Viewing and funeral will be at the Newton Church, 12 South 100 West Newton, UT. A viewing will be held Wednesday December 21, from 6-8 pm and Thursday December 22, from 10-11 am. Funeral Services will follow at 11:30 am. Burial will be at the Newton cemetery. The family would like to thank the people from IHC Home Health care and Hospice for the kind and respectful care of our father.
Condolences & memories may be shared online at
www.nelsonfuneralhome.com