A.J. Uptmore, 94, of China Spring, passed away Wednesday, March 26th, 2014. Visitation will take place from 6-8pm, Friday, March 28th, at Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend in Waco. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, March 29th, at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Jerry Smith of the First Baptist Church of Clifton officiating. Burial will follow at China Spring Cemetery. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online Guest Book at https://www.lakeshorefuneralhome.com.
A.J. Uptmore was born on January 9, 1920, in Tours, Texas, to Joseph Uptmor, Sr. and Matilda (Maca) Uptmor. He was the fourth child of six children born to this family. He grew up in Tours and attended schools there. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army and served in the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal campaigns. He was wounded in battle, received the Purple Heart, and returned to the United States in 1944.
He married Mildred “Mickey” Herbelin on April 27, 1946, in Waco, Texas. The couple have made their home in the China Spring area since 1948. In the early years, A.J. was employed with Downing Brothers Construction and he farmed full-time most of his life. Three children were born to their marriage.
A.J. has served on the China Springs ISD School Board, the Double Circle CO-OP Board, the Production Credit Association Board and the McLennan County Electric Cooperative Board. He loved fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. He has been a Baptist nearly all of his adult life and served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; all of his siblings; and one granddaughter.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mickey Uptmore of China Spring; two sons, Danny Uptmore and wife, Vicki, of Hewitt, and Terry Uptmore and wife, Danida, of McGregor; one daughter, Brenda Smith and husband, Jerry, of Clifton; eleven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the China Spring Volunteer Fire Department and First Baptist Church of China Spring.
The family would express their heartfelt thanks to our friends at Sodalis Elder Living and Bluebonnet Hospice for their excellent care and support.
Print Obituary & Condolences
My deepest sympathies to the family. I never had the privilege of meeting Mr. Uptmore, but he must have been a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.
Maurine
Our sincere sympathy to the family of A.J. He was a fine Christian family man, a man of service and a friend to the entire China Spring community.
Danny,
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy and condolence in the death of your father. I pray that God will strengthen you and your family during this time .
Danny,
I express my heartfelt condolence to you and your family in the loss of your Dad. I’m sure Mr. Uptmore leaves 94 years of wonderfully cherished memories to his family and friends. May the Lord’s peace and comfort be yours today.
Sincerely,
Cloddy Williams
MCC Colleague
Danny and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. We will be praying for peace and strength as you walk through this difficult time. Praise God that we have His assurance that we will be reunited in glory! Much Love, All the Humphreys
Mr Uptmore was a kind man with a warm smile. He had such a sweet spirit and I know each of you will miss him dearly. I am praying for each one of you to feel God’s presence and peace.
An honorable man that was an example to all that knew him. He lived his faith in every facet of his life. I am proud to have known him and his family.
Dear Uptmore Family ,
There are so many memories with you. John,Jamie and I were so blessed to have you .A.J. (Granddaddy) was the greatest blessing we ever had .All the fun we had with Granny and him will always be one of our greatest memories.Jamie and John loved him so much .The special name that only he called me ,I will always remember .
All my love to you all and Granddaddy will be missed
Mickey, Danny and Family, You are in my prayers, I am so sorry for you loss. AJ was a sweet kind Christian man with such a beautiful spirit. No matter what he was doing he always had time to visit with me and my girls and my grandchildren, He always wanted to give the kids a dollar or sack of peaches or something when we would stop to visit. I have so many sweet memories of AJ; he will always have a very special place in my heart. He was a rock to the China Spring community and a blessing to any one who met him. I pray your hearts are filled with sweet memories of this precious man. Beverly Balch
A J was a good and honorable man.
Kathy and my prayers are with all of the family for your loss.
Mrs. Uptmore & kids,
My prayers are with the family. China Spring has very few of the old families left–Mr. Uptmore was such an integral part of that community.
Terry and family, Even though I never got the pleasure of meeting your Dad, he must have been one heck of a guy to have a raised a son like you. I feel quite sure he is looking down on all of you with a smile, a grin saying “I did good”
Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers.i
Dear Aunt Mickie and Family:
We just found out today about Uncle A.J. and all our hearts are so saddened at the news of his passing. Words can’t express our love, admiration and respect we have for him. He was a very special person to all of us and we (especially my grandchildred: Tristan, Cierra, Katrina and Tessa) all looked forward to coming out each summer and spending time with “Aunt Mickie and Uncle A.J. ” I also have wonderful memories of the times Shirley and I spent out at China Springs/Rock Creek with you guys when we were young girls.
He was a wonderful man who loved his family and friends . . . he walked the talk. He will be greatly missed by all.
Our prayers, thoughts and love are with all of you during your time of sadness and grief.
Barbara Stanley Merkel
Dear Mickey, Danny, Terry, Brenda and all your families,
I just wanted you all to know that I am thinking about you and praying for you. I know A. J. was ready to go home and I am so thankful for that. I told Nelda and Virginia that A. J. and Daddy were probably laughing and talking and having lots of fun in Heaven now and Mother was probably trying to get them to behave. Even though I didn’t get to see him that much any more, I miss A. J. and all of you. Watching the video of you all made me sad and happy. Mickey, you and A. J. were a really beautiful couple when you first married and then got more beautiful as you grew older. I really don’t remember A. J. having hair but he was always a very handsome man whether he had hair or not. I can remember the “good ole days” with your family, the Crawshaws and how we used to get together and eat that good homemade ice cream.
Mickey and family take care and, please, know that I am praying for each one of you and know how very much you will miss A. J. I told Misti that I have known you all of my life – I don’t remember not knowing you, so, that has been a really long time.
I love all of you so very much, Norma J Walker
I grew up next to you. Dad made me take gallon of milk. Guess to pay you for watching me. Always thought i was in your way and he took advantage. Youll were very good to me. Thinking of you at your time of loss. Glad ro have been your neighbor
Mickey, Danny, Terry,Brenda and families, I am so sorry I couldn’t be at AJ’s service yesterday but I want to send you my deepest sympathy. He was one of the finest Christian men I have ever known and I know he was so proud of his family. I know it is so hard to lose a parent but you can know that he is with his Father and you will see him again one day.
With sympathy and love,
Debbie Barlow Lynd
Sorry for your loss, our sincere condolences to your family
My mother was Kathleen Wilson. They were at Alzcare together. I remember how kind all of you were to my Mother and me especially when she passed on 12/9/12. I will be praying for all of you because no matter how much you think you are prepared for this, you will still have many anxious moments. God will be your strength as He has been for me. My heart goes out to all of you!!
Danny & Family,
Our prayers are with you and family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I just found out from a friends that used to live in Refugio, that now goes to church with you in China Springs, Danny and Jane Dunham.
Blessings to you. I loved you both so much. I know heaven is sparkling now with Steam’s beautiful twinkle of his eyes when he smiled.
Dody Uptmor
I was so very sad to hear of uncle Steams passing. I remeber you all with love and happiness. Wish Barbara, John and I could have been with you all. My prayers and fond memories will remain close to my heart for your beautiful family.
Brenda