Emil Ted Lemich

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Emil Ted Lemich peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 19, 2012.
Emil was born January 19, 1928, in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to Louis and Helen Chanik Lemich, the fifth of five boys. He grew up in Winton, Wyoming, and attended Reliance High School, where he played football and drove the school bus as a student. This is where he earned his nickname, Speed.
After graduation Emil joined the Seabees branch of the Navy. He served during the Korean War, being stationed in such places as Newfoundland and Guantanamo. Emil was proud of his military service and was often seen wearing his blue Seabees cap.
His life changed when he met and married his sweetheart, Paula Jean Kofoed, on September 14, 1961. They moved to Farson, Wyoming, where Emil became foreman of the highway department. He spent many long hours tending to the sprawling miles of Wyoming highway. They had two children, Emil Louis and Lisa Jean.
They moved to Rawlins, Wyoming, where Emil was elected to the Carbon County Commission. He also was appointed to the Wyoming Highway Commission. He later became the chairman of the Wyoming Highway Commission. Emil was proud of the fact that he was the only person ever to fill both positions. He founded and was owner/dealer of Skyline Motors and Dallin Motors of Rawlins. He owned several other businesses as well.
Emil was a lifelong member of the Masons, Elks, and Odd Fellows. He also was a member of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Board. He loved his Serbian/Greek Orthodox family heritage and took pleasure in celebrating holidays according to the Orthodox calendar. Emil was Grandpa to six grandchildren. He loved and doted on them, spoiling and teaching at the same time.
Later in life, Emil and Paula built a home in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, where they loved to garden and spend time with their family. His last years were spent between there and Emerald Pointe Assisted Living Facility in Cedar City, which is where he was at passing.
Emil is survived by his son, Emil L. and his wife, LaRae H. Lemich, and their five children, Denae L. and Malcolm Mulholland, Dallin E. Lemich, Michael K. Lemich, Daniel P. Lemich, and Alyssa Lemich; his daughter, Lisa L. and her husband, Jim Sherman, and their son, Aaron J. Sherman; a nephew and several nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, Mike, Nick and John Zachovich, George and Pete Lemich, and his loving wife, Paula.
A viewing will be held at the Lava Hot Springs, Idaho LDS Church on Saturday, June 2, 2012, from 10 to 11 a.m., with a graveside service following at the Lava Hot Springs Cemetery. The funeral arrangements are being taken care of by Southern Utah Mortuary of Cedar City, Utah.