Pumphrey, Donald R.

Donald R. Pumphrey, 84, of Coralville, passed into eternal life Monday, Oct. 1, 2012. A celebration of Don's life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at the Solon United Methodist Church, with a time of fellowship following. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p. m. Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don's name may be made to the Solon United Methodist Church, New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, Utah or Heritage Christian School, 255 Hackberry St., North Liberty, IA 52317. Online condolences may be sent to Don's family through the website at .

Don was born to Beal and Josephine Pumphrey on April 23, 1928, in Springfield, Mo. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Coleen S. (Mitchell) Smith-Pumphrey, whom he married in 1985. They lived on the Lake Macbride Golf Course in Solon for several years before moving to Coralville a decade ago. Early in their marriage, the couple also owned a home in the mountains of Leadville, Colo. In recent years they cherished time together at their second home in the desert and canyons of St. George, Utah.

Don had a wonderful sense of humor, a keen interest in people and a natural zest for life. He touched everyone he met with his genuine friendliness. Don knew how to have fun. A “Man for All Seasons,” he was an avid sportsman throughout the year, enjoying golf, downhill skiing, bicycling, tennis, fishing, hiking and sailing. Don also was a master at the grill and delighted in cooking alongside Coleen. He was a faithful member of Solon United Methodist Church and New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George.

Don served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from Missouri State University. His long career in the insurance industry began with Aetna Life and continued in the home offices of Equitable of Iowa in Des Moines and Business Men's Assurance in Kansas City, Mo. He joined Iowa Farm Bureau in 1971, where he worked until his retirement in 1992 as a division manager, guiding and inspiring agency managers in Eastern Iowa.

In 1950 he married Jo Ann Lane (Getting), with whom he had three daughters, Donna Hamilton of Omaha, Neb., Suzanne (Suzy) Blanchet of Santa Fe, N.M. and Carol Meredith of Deerfield, N.H.

When he married Coleen in 1985, he also welcomed two stepchildren into his life, Jeffrey Smith of Marion and Jill Smith Aguirre of North Liberty.

Other survivors include sons-in-law, Mark Hamilton, Robert Blanchet, David Reynolds and Roberto Aguirre; grandchildren, Christa and Lindsay Hamilton and Sophia and Gabriella Aguirre; and a sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and J.D. Back of Oregon.

Don's family is grateful to Dr. James Feeley and Dr. Frederick Ovrom, as well as to nurses in their practices and those who provided end-of-life care on Three West at Mercy Iowa City.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 3, 2012.