Obituary of Clair Rumford

IN LOVING MEMORY OF CLAIR A. RUMFORD Clair Avery Rumford was born August 19, 1933, in Jetmore, KS, as the second of three children and the only son of Leland and Maybelle (Avery) Rumford. He passed away peacefully at the age of 82 on April 18, 2016 after a courageous battle with leukemia. Clair and Norma Jean Hamilton were united in marriage on May 24, 1959, in Goodwell, OK. Their marriage was a perfect match lasting almost 50 years until her death in 2009. They were the parents of 4 children, Darren, Beverly, Janine, and Jamie. Clair lived most of his younger years on the family farm south of Hanston, KS. After graduation from Hanston High School, he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in education from Fort Hays Kansas State College. During and after his college studies, he was a grade school teacher in Manter and Hays. He was also a teacher and grade school principal in Garden City. In 1973, he changed careers, and worked for 25 years with Farm Bureau Insurance in Norton before retiring in 1998. In retirement, Clair actively volunteered for several organizations in Norton including the First United Methodist Church, Norton Cares, and the Thrift Shop. He worked as a substitute teacher in the Norton school system. He was also a member of the Lion's Club. He sang in the First United Methodist Church Choir and in the McCook, NE, Barbershop Chorus. On occasion, he would share his love of music by singing gospel songs to residents in local nursing homes. Clair was a man of many talents. He loved to sing. Many people looked forward to his annual harvest of horseradish and other vegetables from his garden. He loved to garden and was particularly good at randomly planting flowers that would grow into beautiful floral arrangements. Clair's positive outlook on life, quick wit and funny sense of humor served him well. Clair was a faithful Christian, mentor, and friend. He will be missed by many. Clair was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, his parents, a sister, Lois Ann Halling, and a son-in-law, Don Bechard. Survivors include his sister, Mary Lou Sinclair of Jetmore, children and their spouses: Darren and Danae Rumford of Manhattan; Beverly and Larry Daniel of Wichita; Jan Bechard of Gardner; Jamie and Karen Rumford of Scott City; grandchildren Preston Rumford, Aubrey Rumford, Alix Daniel and partner Mark Inman, Kyle Daniel and partner Ashtin Nix, Mike Daniel and Bridget, Sheli and John Schouten, Connor Bechard and fiancé Savannah Smith, Lauren Bechard and fiancé Josh Vossen, Addison Bechard, Brittany Dome, Wade Dome, Lyndi Rumford, Ella Rumford and Jackson Rumford; great grandchildren Parker Vossen, Wren Daniel-Inman and Beck Daniel; many nieces and nephews. FUNERAL SERVICE – Friday, April 22, 2016 –11:00 A.M. PLACE – First United Methodist Church – Norton, Kansas INURNMENT – Fairmount Cemetery – Jetmore, Kansas. 4:00 P.M. MEMORIALS – Clair Rumford Memorial Fund FRIENDS MAY CALL – at the Enfield Funeral Home in Norton on Thursday, April 21, 2016 –4:00 PM until 7:00 PM