Albert Lamere
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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 on Monday, September 20, 2010.
He was born July 19, 1935, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the son of Albert W. Lamere Jr. and Lovalle Mary (Nelson) Lamere. Until age 11, he lived in Chicago, Illinois 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, Missouri where he was active in the choir at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and in the National Guard.
It was there he met the love of his life Lula Mae England. They were married in West Plains, Missouri at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on January 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 1st 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 & 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, Illinois. 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
Pitchford Funeral Home
