Brumley, Elmer A. Sr. 'Bullwinkle'

Elmer A. Brumley Sr. “Bullwinkle,” 93, passed away peacefully Monday, May 13, 2013, at the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Iowa City. Mr. Brumley was a resident of Oxford, Iowa.

Born June 13, 1919, in Des Moines, Iowa, he was the son of Alice Wicker and Samuel Brumley. He is survived by his children, Gloria Brumley Frost, Cedar Rapids, JR Brumley, Oxford, Sharon Kay Brumley, Des Moines, Shawn Brumley, Des Moines, Don Brumley, Des Moines and Malinda Brumley Close, Des Moines; and stepsons, Paul Dean White, Des Moines and Dennis Dean White of N.C.

He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wives, Pauline Newcomb Gunhus and Loretta White; a daughter, Lori Lynn Brumley; a granddaughter, Patricia Ann Frost; two sisters; two nephews; and his parents.

A veteran of World War II, “Bullwinkle” was very proud of his service to our country. He, along with his granddaughter, Monica Brumley Reardon, took part in one of the fall, 2012 Honor Flights to Washington, D.C. He considered it to be “one of the highlights “of his life.

In past years he worked as an accomplished iron worker and always had an acute interest and talent in raising and shearing sheep. Much of his lifetime was spent developing, raising and working Border Collies in the United States. He was one of the founders of the first professional organization to protect the integrity of the breed. It has evolved over the years into the American Border Collie Association. He began his obsession with the Border Collie with his first dog, Jiggs, which he imported from Scotland. During World War II he used his military leaves to work with and learn from the shepherds of Scotland as they began the long process of developing a dog that was perfectly suited for herding. Mr. Brumley imported Jiggs and began what turned out to be a lifelong obsession. To the end of his life he contended he never found another dog as sound and special as Jiggs.

A colorful personality, “Bullwinkle” never met a stranger and was very adept at storytelling. He was a possibility thinker and never let obstacles ruin one of his ideas. His “projects” didn't always look very accomplished but they almost always worked. In his later years he developed a system to grow the most amazing flowers in “his garden.”

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate this man's long life will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City. A formal time of services will begin at 4 p.m., with continuing time for sharing and fellowship until 7 p.m.

Memorials may be sent to the American Border Collie Association, Attn: Patti Rogers, 82 Rogers Rd., Perkinston, MS 39573.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Published in The Gazette May 15, 2013.