LaMar Wheeler Skeen
March 30, 1930 ~ May 14, 2014
LaMar Wheeler Skeen, age 84, died Wednesday, May 14, 2014 due to incidents of age in Ogden, Utah. He was born March 30, 1930 in Ogden Utah, a son of Joseph Maurice and Ethel Amelia Wheeler Skeen. He lived in Warren, Utah all of his life, except when he served a mission for the LDS Church in the Central Atlantic States (1950-1952) and also when he was drafted into the US Army where he and his brother, Talmage W. Skeen, served his country (1953-1955).
LaMar attended school in Warren, Utah for 6 years, Plain City, Utah for 4 years, Weber High School for 2 years and BYU for 5 years. He graduated in 1957 with a degree in finance and banking.
He was a dairy farmer for over 50 years. He worked with his father, his nephew Clark, sons Leland and Merrill and his daughter Laurie, Craig Nelson, LaVelle England and many young neighbors. They raised sugar beets, corn, alfalfa and grain. He enjoyed farming, but it was very hard work. He was a good farmer and was named outstanding farmer in Weber County in 1977. That same year he was given a conservation award for outstanding accomplishments in resource conservation. He also received a number of awards for the herd average of pounds of butterfat per cow per year. In 2001 he retired from dairying and most of the farming. He retired completely in 2004, but kept busy working on the computer and finding genealogy for ward members, relatives and others and installing it on their computers. He helped some of them with research and working on the computer. He took several classes in researching genealogy on the computer and the Paff 5 Program at the Ogden Family History Center.
In 1957 LaMar met his wife-to-be, Carolyn Tribe, at a LDS dance in Ogden, Utah. They dated and were married June 19, 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple. They were compatible in religion, finances, and principles of character, among other things. He enjoyed being with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grand children.
He was a member of the Warren Ward all of his life and enjoyed giving service in his various callings. He served as MIA secretary, Counselor in Sunday School Superintendency, Scoutmaster for 6 years, 1st and 2nd councilor in Bishopric for 10-1/2 years, Ward Finance Clerk, High Councilman for 6 years, Stake Finance clerk, Bishop for 5-1/2 years, High Priest Group Leader, Temple committee chairman, Stake name extraction director for 5 years, 1st Assistant to the High Priest Group Leader, softball coach, and Ward Family History Consultant and chairman of the Temple Committee. He was involved in scouting for 25 years and received the Award of Merit in scouting. He was a dedicated home teacher and served from 1948 until his death.
Sports were an enjoyable diversion for Dad. He started playing baseball at the Warren Elementary School from the second grade to the sixth grade. He played outfield for Plain City School, Weber High School, Warren Farm Bureau. He played for BYU on the freshman team for a year and the varsity team for a year before he went on his mission. He also played softball for the Warren Ward. They went to the All Church tournament two times under the coaching of Gary Hales.
He served a secretary and director of the Warren Irrigation Company from 1977 until this year, 2014. He was appointed chairman for the Farmer’s Home Administration and served for a year. He was president of the Warren Farm Bureau for 3 years. He served as a member of the ASCS Committee for about 5 years.
LaMar took up golf at the age of 38 and played until he was 73. He and several of his friends enjoyed playing competitive golf games against each other for many years. He liked deer hunting and the beauties of the mountains. He and the family traveled to Yellowstone National Park for many years to fish on Yellowstone Lake and see the animals and scenery. He also enjoyed many types of good music.
He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, 2 sons, Leland (Dena) Skeen of North Ogden, Merrill Joseph Skeen of Warren; 2 daughters, Laurie (Kenny) Hadley of Taylor and Carrie (Troy) Batte of West Point; 7 grandchildren, Tairah (Jared) Smith of Woodward OK, Ashlee (David) Voglesberg of North Salt Lake, Taylon Skeen of North Ogden, Casey Rae Day of Salt Lake City Bryce Day of Warren, Jessica (Chase) Anderson of South Ogden and Aaron Batte of West Point, 9 great-grandchildren; Tyson, Derrick, Bennet, Seth and Logon Smith of OK, Max, Libbie and Morgan of North Salt Lake, and Boston of South Ogden and nephew, Clark (Julie) Skeen. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Janet, brothers Talmage and Bryant.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 22nd at 11 a.m. at the Warren Ward Chapel, 856 North 5900 West.
The family will meet with friends Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Roy Mortuary, 3333 West 5600 South and Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.
Interment, Warren Cemetery.