Idaho State Journal, 08/03/08
BLOOMINGTON — Jefferson Hulme Dunford, 85, a lifetime resident and cowboy from the Bear Lake Valley, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 31, 2008, with family at his side.
Hulme was born on Oct. 23, 1922, in Bloomington, the eldest of eight children born to the late Thomas Jefferson and Ruth Dora Hulme Dunford. He attended elementary school in Bloomington and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1940. He then attended Utah State Agricultural College from 1941-42, majoring in animal husbandry with a minor in range management.
Hulme served in the U.S. Air Force branch of the military during WWII from Nov. 1943-45. He was a tail gunner in the 85th AF 303 Bomb group Hells Angels quadroon. He spent many months as a P.O.W. in Germany until liberated.
Hulme will always be appreciated for his quiet demeanor, sense of humor, and for his honesty and service to others.
Hulme married Vera Marie Holyoak on May 14, 1948, in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Vera passed away in 1995. They are survived by their seven children, Heber (Susan) of Bloomington, Idaho, Marie Gnehm (Randall) of Logan, Utah, Sarah Wallentine (Kent) of Paris, Idaho, Roy (Melinda) of Bloomington, Idaho, Kay (Cheri) of Evanston, Wyo., Beverly Dunford of Brigham City, Utah, and Alice Pease (Rick) of Montpelier, Idaho. Hulme is “grandpa gum” to 25 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.
In addition to their children, Hulme is also survived by his brothers, Thomas J. Dunford (Joan) and Joseph W. Dunford (Leah), his sisters Leah Parkinson Christensen, and Ann Marie (Ned) Budge, and brothers-in-law, T. Jay Nelson, Lewis Elison (Dona), and sisters-in-law Carol Dunford and Nola Dunford, Louie Greenhalgh (Glade), Vilate Farnsworth (Doug) and Helen (Lynn) Langstrom, Therla Holyoak, and friend and ranching partner Nancy Hulme.
Hulme was preceded in death by his parents, wife Vera, a brother Robert M. Dunford and sisters Nadine D. Nelson and Elaine D. Elison and several brothers and sisters-in-law.
Hulme spent most of his life ranching and farming in Bloomington, ID. He served as a Brand Inspector for the State of Idaho for 25 years, retiring in 1998. Hulme was a long time participant in Bear Lake County community affairs. He enjoyed his participation in the annual Bear Lake Rendezvous presentations as driver of the stage coach. Over the years he served in various church callings including counselor in the bishopric and as a stake high councilor.
Family and friends will miss him, yet are happy for the reunion he is now having with his loved ones who have passed on.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Paris LDS Stake Center. The interment will follow in the Bloomington Cemetery.