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Miles Labrum Obituary

Miles C. Labrum 1918 ~ 2007 Miles Clayton Labrum passed away Friday, March 23, 2007 on his 89th birthday. He was a prominent botanist, beloved father and devoted husband. He was born March 23, 1918 in Murray, Utah to George Feramorz Labrum and Kathleen Clayton Labrum. He married Barbara Killpack on August 23, 1949 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were happily married for 36 years and gave their three children an idyllic childhood. After Barbara passed away, he married Bobbie Anne Nowotny Hansen in 1986. An active, life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Miles served faithfully in numerous callings as a High Priest and had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ. He was highly intelligent, kind, hard working and pure in heart. Miles was a true gentleman and an exceptional person who saw nothing but beauty in the world. After graduating from Granite High School, Miles served in World War II as Communications Sergeant in the U.S. Army on the island of Okinawa with the 71st Chemical Mortar Battalion. Later he served in the Korean Conflict. Miles graduated from the University of Utah in 1954 with a degree in Botany and Plant Genetics. He worked as a landscape architect prior to his employment as an arborist for the University of Utah. In 1965 he was appointed Director of the State Arboretum of Utah. In addition to teaching at the University of Utah in the Biology Department, he was a popular lecturer for the University of Utah Speakers Bureau. He was the Utah State Capitol Arborist until his retirement in 1982. An extremely knowledgeable horticulturist, Miles served as president of the Utah Gladiolus Society, the Men's Garden Club of Salt Lake, the Western Chapter of the International Shade Tree Commission and chairman of the Intermountain Test Trial Garden for All-American Gladiolus Selections. He lectured throughout the United States and authored numerous articles on botany and horticulture. A nationally recognized expert in the hybridizing and cultivation of gladiolas, Miles introduced dozens of new varieties which are grown in the U.S. and abroad. Miles was an award-winning photographer of outdoor life and served as president of the Salt Lake Photochrome Club and Director of the Utah Chapter of the Photographic Society of America. His photographs have been published in the Encyclopedia Britannica and numerous horticultural journals. Survived by son, Dr. Jeffrey (Katherine) Labrum, and daughter, Jillana Labrum Butler. Also survived by his wife Bobbie Anne and her children Mark Hansen, Joy (Kevin) Cutler, Jana (Jeff) Harris, Janie (Paul) Arnold, Darla (Don) Swenson. Also survived by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, his sister, Elaine (Ralph) McDonald and brother, Dale (Pat) Labrum. Preceded in death by his wife Barbara, son, Brad and brother, Richard Labrum. Funeral services will be held Fri., March 30, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Little Cottonwood 18th Ward, 6410 S. 725 East, Murray, UT. Viewing will be Thurs., March 29, 2007 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Larkin Mortuary, 1950 E. 10600 South, Sandy, UT, and one hour prior to services at the church. Interment, Lake Hills Memorial Cemetery, 10055 S. State, Sandy, Utah. Online condolences, www.larkinmortuary.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Deseret News on Mar. 28, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Miles Labrum

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William Owen

April 8, 2007

My Deepest Sympathy to the Family upon losing a wonderful man from the Gladiolus world. Miles will join the other growers in heaven I'm sure. He produced some of the best new cultivars the world has known. William J. Owen International Registrar.

James Dean

March 30, 2007

To my dear friend, I will miss you.

Terri Garner

March 30, 2007

My deepest sympathy to the immediate family. I have fond memories from growing up next to my uncle Miles. He always had a smile for us when we would come invade his gladiola garden and a realistic worm eating act when it was time for us to go home. Uncle Miles’s spirit lives on in my thoughts. He will be greatly missed.

Love and comfort to you,

Tami Oliver

March 30, 2007

Jeff and Family, Bobbie:

Jeff, I have known your family my entire 35 years. I have many wonderful memories of all of you. I remember visiting your mother with my mom shortly before she passed those many years ago. Miles always gave me a warm smile and wave. My deepest sympathy at this time in your lives. But if anything, you have proven time and time again your tenacity and ability to overcome the darkest of obstacles. May you feel the comfort of the Lord and His loving arms around you. (You're the best doc around!!)

All my best,

Tami (DeMass) Oliver

Dale Terry Brown

March 30, 2007

Dearest friend Bobbie:
How I wish I could be there with all of you today. What a great man has left us. My Love and Prayers are with you all.
Dale Terry Brown

Marian Harman

March 29, 2007

Dear Labrum Family,
My mom, Irma White, Miles' first cousin died about 16 months ago and sadly for me, that was the last time I saw and visited with Miles. He was so sweet when he came to visit my mother and I appreciated his quiet and kind demeanor when he comforted me and my siblings at her funeral. Mom always loved talking about Miles and his wonderful gladiolas and reknowned botony knowledge. She was so proud to be his cousin and enjoyed his and his sister Elaine's company when they visited her over the years, and especially near the time of her death. She always spoke of him fondly as such a kind, loving and intelligent man. I have fond memories of childhood visits to Aunt Kitty's home many many years ago and in later years going to Miles' home and seeing the beautiful gardens that Miles tended so carefully. I am saddened by Miles' death, but I know that, along with many other family members who have gone before him, that Miles' cousins, my mother Irma, her sister Lucille, and brother Rulon, are all welcoming him to the next life with open arms.
with love and condolences,

Mary Bendixen

March 29, 2007

Jillana,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. What a wonderful legacy your father left!
May the good memories of him carry you through the times to come!
Our warmest aloha, Glen and Mary Bendixen

Dave Ottley

March 29, 2007

My deepest sympathy for your lose. It is too bad that we loose track of our friends and neighbors through the years. As a lad I can remember the rows and rows of gladiolas in the Labrum yards. I also remember going to the County Fair in Murray and looking to see the ribbons that they had won. Miles will truly be missed, he was an artist and the beauty that he created will be wonderful memories. May the Lord bless and comfort the family.

Charles Karpakis

March 28, 2007

Jeff and Family,
I was saddened to hear of the passing of your father. I remember taking a class from him at the University of Utah about 30 years ago. The class was called "Trees and Shrubs." This was a very enjoyable class as Miles lead us about the Campus and taught us to identify every tree and to memorize the genus and species of each one. Miles displayed a great enthusiasm which he imparted to his students.

He was certainly blessed with a long and productive life and I'm sure he will be greatly missed.

Best regards,

Your Neighbor
Chuck Karpakis

Kathy (Burrows) Lee

March 28, 2007

Jillana, Sorry to hear of your father's passing...you will be in my prayers...Hope that all is well otherwise in your life...your friend, Kathy (Burrows) Lee

Claudia White (Bonham)

March 28, 2007

Uncle Miles is one of the most patient, loyal and honorable men I know. He is one to give his ALL. He deserves a mansion in heaven due to his faithfulness and integrity. I'm so grateful for the love and thoughtfulness that he has given to me. I've been blessed to know him and I will miss him a great deal.
With Love,
Claudia

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