Lafayette (Lafe) Keith Shumway passed away February 25, 2015 surrounded by his five children. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Loa Jean Taylor Shumway. Also preceding him in death were his sister Nelle, and five of his six brothers (Wilford, Stanley, Argyle, Phil, and Van). Lafe was born July 15, 1918 in a small cabin on a large cattle ranch in northern Arizona. His mother, Julia Myrtle Jennings Shumway, died when he was ten; his father, Charles L Shumway, died when he was seventeen. Lafe, his sister, and his six brothers became especially close in the ensuing years and the family bonds remained exceptionally strong throughout their entire lives. After two years of college Lafe served a two-year mission in eastern Oklahoma for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, followed by three years of military service during WWII, including a year of infantry in France. Following the war he completed his degree in civil engineering at Utah State University, and married Loa Jean Taylor in the Logan Utah Temple March 19, 1947. Together they raised their family of five children on a small ten-acre farm in Boise, Idaho. Lafe was highly respected and admired at the Bureau of Reclamation for his creativity and work ethic. As his career advanced he was given opportunities to live in foreign countries with his family as he worked on engineering projects overseas, including Thailand, Afghanistan, and Malaysia. After retirement, he and Loa Jean fulfilled a mission together in Bermuda. Upon their return they moved into their home in St. George, Utah, the last of the five family homes Lafe himself built. There in his woodshop his skill as a craftsman became evident as he turned out dozens of beautiful pieces of furniture, clocks, carvings and small items, generously given away to family. His many hours of selfless volunteer service in the community became a source of satisfaction to him. As a stalwart member of the church, Lafe gave a lifetime of dedicated service in the church, faithfully fulfilling various responsibilities. He expressed the feeling that his greatest calling in life was that of father. He is survived by one brother, Lenn (Carmen); two daughters, Cindy (Donnie) and Becky (Brian); and three sons, Jeff (Diane), Larry (Mary), and Danny; twenty-nine (thirty) grandchildren, fifty-six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday, February 28, 2015, at the LDS chapel 1157 West 800 North, Salt Lake City, Utah. Family and friends may call prior to the funeral from 10:00 to 11:30. Burial will be at Veterans Cemetery, 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale, Utah
