With great sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our father John Robert LaMar on 27 Aug 2013. Dad ended his 7 year battle with cancer this evening and went home to join his heavenly father in triumph and peace. He was the greatest man any of us have ever known! He led our family all these years with un-bounded love, grace, and great wisdom. He was preceded in death by his Father Joseph LaMar, and mother Virginia Cross LaMar. He is survived by his loving wife Janice F. LaMar ; children, son John and his wife Joyce LaMar; son, Joseph LaMar; daughter, Jean Qualls; daughter, Juliet LaMar; granddaughter, Grace Qualls; brother, Warren LaMar; sister, Joan Stevenson; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dad was born May 27 1929 in Princeton, Mo. He was a 1951 graduate of the University of Missouri engineering school with a BSA in chemical engineering. He worked in chemical production from 1951-1953 with Commercial Solvents Corporation. From 1953 to 1955, he was in the army stationed at the Pine Bluff arsenal working in grenade and bomb production and storage. Upon discharge, he joined Universal Oil Products "UOP" and began work in the oil refining business that would have him travel the world and led him to meet and marry our mother Janice in 1957. In 1960, John joined IBM and served a 32 year career till retirement in 1992. Dad was a great father and served as a father figure to many, both within and beyond our family. He was thrust into this role at the age of 14 due to the untimely death of his father. From 1944 on, he was the strength and wisdom of the family. He excelled at this and took great pride in his children and their accomplishments. Dad will always be with us in our hearts and he is a part of who we are today. John and Jan are members of Messiah Lutheran Church, Springfield Mo. Dad worked hard to instill his faith in all of us. Every day, through great examples of love and selflessness, he demonstrated God's love and compassion for us. Dad had a life-long love of music and as an ardent supporter of the MSU music program and Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Funeral services will be at Messiah Lutheran Church, Springfield, Mo. on Sunday, September 1, 2013 at 2:00pm under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 31, 2013 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the funeral home. Final resting will be at the LaMar family cemetery in Possum Walk, Mo. near Elmo.