Although Roger LaMore was successful in whatever he tried his hand
at, there was no greater accomplishment than raising the children he
was so very proud of. He was a leader in his home both in word and in
deed, and he was highly respected wherever he went. Faith was Roger’s
constant companion and the basis on which he established his daily
life. Second only to his faith, his family was of the greatest significance
in his life as nothing made him happier than gathering with his entire
extended family during the most special times of the year. A man of
great character, integrity, and strength, Roger leaves behind a deeply
embedded footprint that will never fade away.
The decade of the 1930s is usually defined by the hardships countless
American families experienced everyday at the hands of the Great
Depression. However, there was great reason to celebrate since it was
on September 25, 1934 that Weldon Phillip “Pete” and Amy (Holt)
LaMore welcomed two sons into their hearts and home. Roger was
born in Benton Harbor, Michigan, just minutes after his identical twin
brother, Roy. They were later joined by identical twin sisters, Jean and
Jane in their family. Roger’s father worked as a pharmacist while his
mother was a homemaker with more than enough to keep her busy
at home.
While he was still a young boy, Roger’s family moved to Battle Creek
where he attended local schools including Lakeview Elementary, Lakeview
Jr. High School, and Lakeview High School where he played football. He
enjoyed spending time in the woods and was intrigued by a nearby airplane
graveyard. Roger went there often hunting for gun ammunition. Any that
he found was carefully hidden away so his parents were not aware of his
treasures. He was fascinated by planes and was in the Civil Air Patrol at the
age of 14. He and his brother often traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, to
spend summers with their father where they had so many
fun times. The two brothers shared a tight bond
throughout the rest of their lives until Roy’s death
in January of 1985.
After gradating from high school in 1952,
Roger served in the Air National Guard from
1952 to 1963. Throughout that time, he was
an aircraft and engine certified mechanic.
Roger was thrilled when he was able to taxi
his favorite plane, the P-51, down the runway
in Battle Creek. He would have loved to become
an Air Force pilot but since he was color blind, this was not to become his
reality. Roger was accomplished during his time in the service, becoming a
sergeant when he was just 18.
In Oct 1955, Roger met his first wife Mary Cole. Together they were
blessed with three daughters, Linda, Sherrie, and Penny Ann. Although their
marriage ended in divorce after 19 years, Roger was forever grateful for the
daughters they shared. It was during this time that Roger tried his hand at
a few different career paths. He attended Muskegon Community College
and earned his EMT - Paramedic certification. Roger also became
a certified GM auto mechanic in four states and a certified nursing
assistant (CNA) as well. While appreciating his ability to be versatile
in his career opportunities, for those who knew Roger, it was easy to
detect his spirit of adventure and love for airplanes, motorcycles, and
race cars. He received his local private pilot’s license and was interested
in airplane aerobatics. Roger was a successful formula racecar driver,
too, yet he also appreciated the quiet beauty of nature.
New changes were in store for Roger when he met the woman with
whom he would share the rest of his life. Her name was Paula R.
Plahutnik and they both worked at the nursing home. Deeply in love, they
married on January 10, 1976, in Battle Creek although they later moved
to Spring Lake. Together they were blessed with four children: Matthew,
Michelle, Jon-Peter, and Sarah. As a father, Roger mastered the delicate
balance between being both strict and loving in order to shape his children
into people of character. Roger was very wise - a systematic teacher when
it came to his children. It was important to Roger that his family was a
cohesive unit and since the Christian faith was such a significant part of
his life, it was vital to him that he passed these beliefs on to his children.
They went to church every week as a family and were heavily involved
in bible studies. During his younger years Roger was an altar boy and
as an adult, he was a Eucharistic minister and a
communicant member of St. Mary’s Catholic
Church in Spring Lake.
In so many ways, Roger was family
oriented. He loved gathering as a large
group during the holidays including
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
Summer BBQs were also traditions Roger
treasured and since he loved to cook, he
passed along everything he knew
about cooking to his family.
Because planes were his
passion, they attended
the Air Show in Muskegon as a family
every year. Once his grandchildren arrived,
Roger was deeply involved in their lives.
He passed along so much hard-earned
wisdom to his grandchildren, especially
on fire prevention. Roger’s grandchildren
always loved hearing their grandfather’s
stories, too. His dog, Rosie, was a faithful
companion for many years and very much
like a member of their family.
Over a period of many years, Roger was able to hide the symptoms of
Alzheimer’s disease but when he could no longer do so, his battle with the
disease was swift.
There was so much to love about Roger LaMore. He could be intensely
focused and driven, yet he was also lighthearted at times as well. Roger’s
faith was the cornerstone in his life and something that was a part of his
daily living. He had a strong spirit, a sharp mind, and an intense desire to
conquer whatever he put his mind to. Roger treasured his family and in
doing so, made a significant impact in the lives of generations for years to
come. A true gift to many, Roger leaves behind a beautiful history that will
be cherished by those who knew and loved him.
Roger W. LaMore died on Thursday, December 23, 2010. Roger’s family
includes his wife, Paula; children, Linda Tidwell, Sherie Timmons, Penny
Ann Powell, Matthew LaMore, Michelle LaMore, Jon-Peter LaMore, Sarah
LaMore; 10 grandchildren; and identical twin sisters,
Jean Harnish, Jane DeLoof. Roger was preceded in
death by his parents and twin brother, Roy LaMore.
Services will be held on Monday, January 3, 2011,
2:00 p.m. at the Clock Chapel - Fruitport with Deacon
Bill Charron officiating. Interment at Spring Lake
Cemetery. Visit with Roger’s family and friends on
Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life
Story Funeral Home - Fruitport location - Fruitport,
MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can
leave a favorite memory, sign the online guestbook,
or make a memorial contribution to the family.
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