LaMar Kenneth Heimbigner

LaMar Heimbigner died August 6, 2012 in Odessa.

He was born July 5, 1930 to David and Mary Heimbigner at the family home in Odessa, the youngest of their seven children.

He was a life-long member and deacon of the Christ Lutheran Church, baptized February 22, 1931 and confirmed November 28, 1948.

He graduated from Odessa High School in 1950, where he lettered in football, basketball and track. During high school he worked at Michaelsen's grocery store and took harvest jobs. Following graduation, he worked as the school's groundskeeper until he entered the U.S. Navy.

In March 1951, LaMar enlisted , along with his nephew Merle Janke. He served five years on the submarine tender USS Nereus AS-17, stationed at Bremerton, Wash .; Astoria, Ore .; Honolulu, Hawaii and San Diego, Calif.

He met Marguerite Bauer through mutual friends in Ritzville. Their first date was at the Ritz Theater. They married February 21, 1953 at the Bauer family cabin at Sandy Hook Park in Suquamish, Wash.

Following his military service, LaMar and Marguerite made their home in Odessa and raised two children, Marla and Wade.

LaMar owned and operated the community garbage service for many years. He served for nearly 25 years as Public Works Director for the Town of Odessa, was also a bus driver for the Odessa Schools and worked for the Grange Supply Company of Odessa. He retired from the Town of Odessa in 1985.

He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7395 for more than 50 years.

He served as a docent and board member for many years at the Odessa Historiches Museum and was a fixture in the museum’s red barn during Deutschesfest.

LaMar enjoyed woodworking, having coffee with friends, playing pinochle and solitaire, watching sports, and going to “the river.”

Family remember him as generous, loyal, showed pride in his community and valued hard work and a job well done.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Marguerite Heimbigner of Odessa, daughter Marla (Ernest) Mills of Odessa, son Wade (Holly) Heimbigner of San Diego, Calif., sister Edna Janke Jorgenson of Odessa, grandchildren Hollye (Todd) Keister of Tacoma, Aron Mills of Odessa, Joel (Jenny) Heimbigner of Charlotte, N.C. and Bethany Heimbigner of San Diego, Calif.

LaMar is preceded in death by his parents David and Mary Heimbigner, sisters Mildred Wilskie, Dorothy Beck, Ella Beck Walter and Helen Els and brother Leo Heimbigner.

Services were held at Christ Lutheran Church August 18. Memorial donations may be made to the Odessa Historiches Museum.