La Mar, Jack Irwin - 1933-2011

FISHER, LA MAR, RODRIGUEZ, STEPHENS, TORRES

Posted By: Polk volunteer
Date: 9/6/2024 at 13:30:09

Jack Irwin La Mar, 78, passed away at the Veterans Hospital on December 8, 2011. A memorial service will be held Monday, December 12 at 1 p.m. at Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines.
Jack was born March 19, 1933 in Albia, Iowa. He attended school until the family needed his help in tending the farm. He entered the Army in 1950 and served in the Korean Conflict earning a Combat Infantry Badge while acting as a field Wireman. He saw service during a critical time in our country when the U.S. Army was testing Nuclear Weapons. Consequently he is classified as a Nuclear Vet, having witnessed test detonations of nuclear bombs at the White Sands Nevada testing grounds.
After his Honorable Discharge he began a career as a television repairman. He worked for Greenfield TV several years before buying the business and renaming it to La Mar Electronics. The business ran until the early 70s.
Mr. La Mar enjoyed reading and playing chess with friends and family. He was a bowler and played fast pitch softball, sponsoring a team for several years.
He is survived by his ex-wife Sharon Fisher; sons, Mike La Mar of Stanton, Iowa, Jack La Mar of Hibbing, Minnesota; daughters, Jill Torres and Casey Rodriguez of Des Moines, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is preceded in death by his father, Neil La Mar, of Albia, Iowa; mother, Nina Marie Stephens, of Albia, Iowa; and his son, Jeffery La Mar, Red Oak, Iowa.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, December 11, 2011, page 9B