Albert Lamere III passes

FlyingW · 09-22-2010, 11:24 AM

This is an obituary for my brother in laws dad. He was an avid racer at Alton Drag Strip back in the good days. He also was a boat racer in Dayton. If anyone remembers the funny car called "The Frog" we would love to have some pictures of it. I would like to be able to put together some for my brother in law.

Albert Lamere III

Comments 0
BRIGHTON

September 21, 2010 9:28 PM

Albert Wesley Lamere III, 75, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and loving family and under the compassionate care of St. Anthony's Hospice.
He was born July 19, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Okla., the son of Albert W. Lamere Jr. and Lovalle Mary (Nelson) Lamere. Until age 11, he lived in Chicago, and then moved to the Ozark area of Missouri and graduated high school at the Cape Girardeau Seminary. After graduation, he returned to West Plains, Mo., where he was active in the choir at St. Mary's Catholic Church and in the National Guard.
It was there that he met the love of his life, Lula Mae England. They were married in West Plains, Mo., at St. Mary's Catholic Church Jan. 7, 1956.
Albert was a gifted vocalist and music was the thread of the family fabric. With his eight children singing and his wife on guitar, his family entertained as Albert Lamere & Company for many years at local functions. Later, he started his band, Al Lamere & the Hy Flytes, singing lead vocals. They performed for many years at local VFW's, the Apple Shed in Hardin and many charity functions. They were a popular local band with many followers.
Among his many interests, he built and raced funny cars and drag boats. He raced his funny car, "The Frog," at Alton Drag strip, winning many trophies. He took first place with his drag boat at Dayton, Ohio. He was an avid sportsman who participated in handball at the YMCA in Alton. He placed in the "Run For Your Life Program," also at the YMCA. He enjoyed bicycling with his family, especially on the Great River Road. He and his family, with the children and grandchildren, enjoyed camping, frequently at Carlyle Lake, where he enjoyed boating, hiking and cooking outdoors. He continued his love of the outdoors with a cabin on the Illinois River, spending many weekends enjoying family time.
He used his gift of song for many years at Faith Christian Fellowship in South Roxana, where he sang with his children and grandchildren. His love of music extended to playing the harmonica, bass guitar, tambourine and maracas. It was there on Mother's Day in 1986 that he dedicated his heart and soul to his Lord, Jesus Christ. One of the great joys of his life was to hand out dollar bills, "Poppy Dollars," to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, handing out hundreds of them over the years. He was affectionately known to everyone as "Poppy." Poppy touched and influenced many lives with his generous and loving nature.
He was a gifted diesel mechanic and together with his brother, Sherman Lamere, they founded and operated Thunderbird Motor Freight Lines Inc. in South Roxana. After leaving Thunderbird, he began his own business, A.L. Diesel in Mitchell, Ill. It was at his diesel shop, the day after Christmas 1992, that his life changed dramatically when he suffered a massive stroke. Defying all odds of recapturing any quality of life, he went on to continue to touch many lives, influence many people, and be an inspiration and shining example of the strength of love, the human spirit and dedication to family and God. Although at this point in his life he had lost the ability to speak beyond yes and no, his actions and his attitude toward life and his situation spoke volumes to all who came into contact with him. Despite the fact that for the last 20 years of his life, he couldn't use his right arm or leg, his walk through those 20 years raised the bar in his family for conquering obstacles. Even though his eyes were dimmed for those last 20 years, he had a vision of the truth, sacredness of life, respect for others, unconditional love and dignity in suffering.
He taught his family truth: giving of one's self, the dignity of life, honesty, faith in God, how to live honorably with a spouse, how to be a selfless parent, how to love unconditionally and fiercely, and how to approach the end of life with dignity, grace, faith and hope.
His family grieves their loss, but not as those without hope. For they know they will see their beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother again. He is survived by his lovely bride of 54 years, Lula Mae, and their eight children: Mary and Robert Stradtmann, Albert and Cindy Lamere, Lu Ann and Scott Baird, Mike and Mary Lamere, Christopher and Loral Lamere, Teresa Lamere, Marion and Brian Shaw, and Jacqueline and Brian Black. Also surviving are more than 50 loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brothers Joe, Francis and Mike; and one sister, Mary Freeman.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Ted, Sherman, Dora and Betty.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the funeral home. The Rev. Ron Wenzel will officiate. In accordance with his wishes, following the funeral services, cremation rites will be accorded.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Anthony's Hospice.
Online guestbook available at www.pitchfordfuneralhome.com.

09-22-2010, 11:24 AM	#1
FlyingW Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Frostproof, Fl. Posts: 450 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Albert Lamere III passes This is an obituary for my brother in laws dad. He was an avid racer at Alton Drag Strip back in the good days. He also was a boat racer in Dayton. If anyone remembers the funny car called "The Frog" we would love to have some pictures of it. I would like to be able to put together some for my brother in law. Albert Lamere III Comments 0 BRIGHTON September 21, 2010 9:28 PM Albert Wesley Lamere III, 75, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and loving family and under the compassionate care of St. Anthony's Hospice. He was born July 19, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Okla., the son of Albert W. Lamere Jr. and Lovalle Mary (Nelson) Lamere. Until age 11, he lived in Chicago, and then moved to the Ozark area of Missouri and graduated high school at the Cape Girardeau Seminary. After graduation, he returned to West Plains, Mo., where he was active in the choir at St. Mary's Catholic Church and in the National Guard. It was there that he met the love of his life, Lula Mae England. They were married in West Plains, Mo., at St. Mary's Catholic Church Jan. 7, 1956. Albert was a gifted vocalist and music was the thread of the family fabric. With his eight children singing and his wife on guitar, his family entertained as Albert Lamere & Company for many years at local functions. Later, he started his band, Al Lamere & the Hy Flytes, singing lead vocals. They performed for many years at local VFW's, the Apple Shed in Hardin and many charity functions. They were a popular local band with many followers. Among his many interests, he built and raced funny cars and drag boats. He raced his funny car, "The Frog," at Alton Drag strip, winning many trophies. He took first place with his drag boat at Dayton, Ohio. He was an avid sportsman who participated in handball at the YMCA in Alton. He placed in the "Run For Your Life Program," also at the YMCA. He enjoyed bicycling with his family, especially on the Great River Road. He and his family, with the children and grandchildren, enjoyed camping, frequently at Carlyle Lake, where he enjoyed boating, hiking and cooking outdoors. He continued his love of the outdoors with a cabin on the Illinois River, spending many weekends enjoying family time. He used his gift of song for many years at Faith Christian Fellowship in South Roxana, where he sang with his children and grandchildren. His love of music extended to playing the harmonica, bass guitar, tambourine and maracas. It was there on Mother's Day in 1986 that he dedicated his heart and soul to his Lord, Jesus Christ. One of the great joys of his life was to hand out dollar bills, "Poppy Dollars," to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, handing out hundreds of them over the years. He was affectionately known to everyone as "Poppy." Poppy touched and influenced many lives with his generous and loving nature. He was a gifted diesel mechanic and together with his brother, Sherman Lamere, they founded and operated Thunderbird Motor Freight Lines Inc. in South Roxana. After leaving Thunderbird, he began his own business, A.L. Diesel in Mitchell, Ill. It was at his diesel shop, the day after Christmas 1992, that his life changed dramatically when he suffered a massive stroke. Defying all odds of recapturing any quality of life, he went on to continue to touch many lives, influence many people, and be an inspiration and shining example of the strength of love, the human spirit and dedication to family and God. Although at this point in his life he had lost the ability to speak beyond yes and no, his actions and his attitude toward life and his situation spoke volumes to all who came into contact with him. Despite the fact that for the last 20 years of his life, he couldn't use his right arm or leg, his walk through those 20 years raised the bar in his family for conquering obstacles. Even though his eyes were dimmed for those last 20 years, he had a vision of the truth, sacredness of life, respect for others, unconditional love and dignity in suffering. He taught his family truth: giving of one's self, the dignity of life, honesty, faith in God, how to live honorably with a spouse, how to be a selfless parent, how to love unconditionally and fiercely, and how to approach the end of life with dignity, grace, faith and hope. His family grieves their loss, but not as those without hope. For they know they will see their beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother again. He is survived by his lovely bride of 54 years, Lula Mae, and their eight children: Mary and Robert Stradtmann, Albert and Cindy Lamere, Lu Ann and Scott Baird, Mike and Mary Lamere, Christopher and Loral Lamere, Teresa Lamere, Marion and Brian Shaw, and Jacqueline and Brian Black. Also surviving are more than 50 loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; his brothers Joe, Francis and Mike; and one sister, Mary Freeman. He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Ted, Sherman, Dora and Betty. In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, at the funeral home. The Rev. Ron Wenzel will officiate. In accordance with his wishes, following the funeral services, cremation rites will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Anthony's Hospice. Online guestbook available at www.pitchfordfuneralhome.com.