Official Obituary of
George E LaMore
June 17, 1930 ~ November 23, 2014 (age 84) 84 Years Old
George LaMore Obituary
The Reverend Dr. George E. LaMore, Jr., 84, of Mt. Pleasant, Professor Emeritus of Religion at Iowa Wesleyan College, died Sunday, November 23, 2014 at his residence.
The funeral service for Dr. LaMore will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend Deborah J. Stowers will officiate. Burial will be in the Southview Cemetery, North Adams, MA on Tuesday, December 2. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 9:00 PM on Friday, November 28 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM Friday evening.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for a charity to be decided at a later date. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com
George Edward LaMore, Jr. was born June 17, 1930 in North Adams, MA. He was the son of George Edward and Victoria Mary (nee Bird) LaMore, Sr. He was raised in the Braytonville section of North Adams and graduated from Drury High School there in 1949. He matriculated to Williams College, Williamstown, MA where, in 1953, he was conferred with a BA degree in Religion and Philosophy. It was as a student pastor during his college days that he met his future wife. On June 27, 1953 in Adams, MA, George was united in marriage to Jane Ester Blackburn.
Following their marriage, the couple moved to Boston where he earned a Master's degree in Divinity at the Boston College School of Theology. George was ordained into the (then) Methodist Church pastorate. He received a fellowship and continued on for a Doctorate in a cooperative program between Boston University and Harvard University. He also studied at Oxford University in England. George received his Th.D. degree from Boston University.
For 9 years during his education time and beyond, Dr. LaMore pastored the Methodist churches in Adams, MA and Stamford, VT. In 1959, Dr. LaMore answered the call to become the Chaplain at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant. He began teaching shortly thereafter and, for 42 years, was a Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Iowa Wesleyan College. For most of those years, Dr. LaMore was the Chair of the Religion & Philosophy Department. During his tenure at the college, Dr. LaMore was a key leader in the formation of the Responsible Social Involvement (RSI) program. A unique (if not unheard of) program at the time, it fostered similar programs in colleges nationwide. IWC itself has reached the milestone of over 1,000,000 volunteer hours by it students. His love to teach was fostered by his love for kids and young adults to see them learn, grow and mature. Together with his wife, they served as chaperones for several functions of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He served on numerous committees and in other functions for the college. Dr. LaMore retired in 2002 and was conferred as Professor Emeritus of Religion.
Dr. LaMore was sought after as a speaker and authority in his field. He frequently lectured for businesses and professional groups. He was often asked to be the commencement speaker at graduations. Dr. LaMore did extensive research on the subject of death and dying, and was a Keynote Speaker for several conventions of the National Funeral Directors Association. He and Jane traveled all over the United States, often with George piloting a small airplane. His speaking engagements were not limited to the United States, as he spoke in numerous foreign countries. Many of his writings in his fields of expertise were published in journals, magazines and other media.
Dr. LaMore was a gifted musician. He studied violin from a young age with renowned violinist Byron Briggs. He played in several orchestras and groups during the years of his education. While at Iowa Wesleyan, Dr. LaMore played Second Violin in the Southeast Symphony Orchestra. Dr. LaMore also painted scenic portraits, many which hang in his house. Because of his heritage, spoke French. His studies in religion taught him to read and speak Greek. As with most college professors, he enjoyed reading. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he was a bass in the Chancel Choir. He also served in other capacities for the church and for the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
At home, George was a very handy shade tree mechanic, fixing cars and teaching young Wesleyan students how to do car repair. Dr. LaMore was noted for riding his bike around Mt. Pleasant. He decorated his old Schwinn and rode it in nearly every IWC Homecoming Parade. In his younger years, George enjoyed fishing and motorcycle riding. He developed a love of camping as the trailer was home for Jane and him during his years of graduate study. In his later years, George enjoyed his coffee group and time at home with his cats, KoKo and Yum-Yum.
Those thankful for sharing in George's life include his wife of 61 years, Jane, of Mt. Pleasant; 2 sons, Christian John LaMore of Mt. Pleasant and Wesley Paul LaMore of Pittsfield, MA; 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
His parents and a daughter in law, Deborah LaMore, precede George in death.
213 North Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA, 52641
213 North Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA, 52641
309 North Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA, 52641
The funeral service for Dr. LaMore will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend Deborah J. Stowers will officiate. Burial will be in the Southview Cemetery, North Adams, MA on Tuesday, December 2. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 9:00 PM on Friday, November 28 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM Friday evening.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family for a charity to be decided at a later date. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com
George Edward LaMore, Jr. was born June 17, 1930 in North Adams, MA. He was the son of George Edward and Victoria Mary (nee Bird) LaMore, Sr. He was raised in the Braytonville section of North Adams and graduated from Drury High School there in 1949. He matriculated to Williams College, Williamstown, MA where, in 1953, he was conferred with a BA degree in Religion and Philosophy. It was as a student pastor during his college days that he met his future wife. On June 27, 1953 in Adams, MA, George was united in marriage to Jane Ester Blackburn.
Following their marriage, the couple moved to Boston where he earned a Master's degree in Divinity at the Boston College School of Theology. George was ordained into the (then) Methodist Church pastorate. He received a fellowship and continued on for a Doctorate in a cooperative program between Boston University and Harvard University. He also studied at Oxford University in England. George received his Th.D. degree from Boston University.
For 9 years during his education time and beyond, Dr. LaMore pastored the Methodist churches in Adams, MA and Stamford, VT. In 1959, Dr. LaMore answered the call to become the Chaplain at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant. He began teaching shortly thereafter and, for 42 years, was a Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Iowa Wesleyan College. For most of those years, Dr. LaMore was the Chair of the Religion & Philosophy Department. During his tenure at the college, Dr. LaMore was a key leader in the formation of the Responsible Social Involvement (RSI) program. A unique (if not unheard of) program at the time, it fostered similar programs in colleges nationwide. IWC itself has reached the milestone of over 1,000,000 volunteer hours by it students. His love to teach was fostered by his love for kids and young adults to see them learn, grow and mature. Together with his wife, they served as chaperones for several functions of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. He served on numerous committees and in other functions for the college. Dr. LaMore retired in 2002 and was conferred as Professor Emeritus of Religion.
Dr. LaMore was sought after as a speaker and authority in his field. He frequently lectured for businesses and professional groups. He was often asked to be the commencement speaker at graduations. Dr. LaMore did extensive research on the subject of death and dying, and was a Keynote Speaker for several conventions of the National Funeral Directors Association. He and Jane traveled all over the United States, often with George piloting a small airplane. His speaking engagements were not limited to the United States, as he spoke in numerous foreign countries. Many of his writings in his fields of expertise were published in journals, magazines and other media.
Dr. LaMore was a gifted musician. He studied violin from a young age with renowned violinist Byron Briggs. He played in several orchestras and groups during the years of his education. While at Iowa Wesleyan, Dr. LaMore played Second Violin in the Southeast Symphony Orchestra. Dr. LaMore also painted scenic portraits, many which hang in his house. Because of his heritage, spoke French. His studies in religion taught him to read and speak Greek. As with most college professors, he enjoyed reading. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he was a bass in the Chancel Choir. He also served in other capacities for the church and for the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
At home, George was a very handy shade tree mechanic, fixing cars and teaching young Wesleyan students how to do car repair. Dr. LaMore was noted for riding his bike around Mt. Pleasant. He decorated his old Schwinn and rode it in nearly every IWC Homecoming Parade. In his younger years, George enjoyed fishing and motorcycle riding. He developed a love of camping as the trailer was home for Jane and him during his years of graduate study. In his later years, George enjoyed his coffee group and time at home with his cats, KoKo and Yum-Yum.
Those thankful for sharing in George's life include his wife of 61 years, Jane, of Mt. Pleasant; 2 sons, Christian John LaMore of Mt. Pleasant and Wesley Paul LaMore of Pittsfield, MA; 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
His parents and a daughter in law, Deborah LaMore, precede George in death.
Visitation
NOV 28. 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM (CST)
Kimzey Funeral Home213 North Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA, 52641
Family Present to Greet Friends
NOV 28. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST)
Kimzey Funeral Home213 North Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA, 52641
Service
NOV 29. 10:30 AM (CST)
First United Methodist Church309 North Main Street
Mount Pleasant, IA, 52641
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