Walter Jenkins Plumb Jr.

Walter Jenkins Plumb Jr.
"Gator"
Dad was born April 9, 1921 in Lafayette, Indiana. He passed from us December 9, 2011 of natural causes.
From an early age, he was into anything he could get his hands on. He loved chemistry. He quickly discovered the formula needed to blow the neighbor's garbage can lids sky high. His youth was spent on Lake Michigan. Sailing was his passion. Potatoes liberated from his mom's kitchen were cooked to perfection on the shore to sustain he and his friends while they enjoyed the lake. He also enjoyed his odd pets. A raccoon, an alligator, the clothespin-stealing crow, and anything else he thought his mother might disapprove of. If the budget allowed, Dad would ride alone on the train to Chicago to see The World's Fair. He never forgot the amazing inventions and predictions for the future. If he weren't sailing, he would be working on his Model T Ford. Born with a natural instinct to understand mechanics, he could switch out motors, rebuild heads, fix tires, you name it. Not one to take himself seriously, he painted "Constipated, can't pass a thing" on the rear of his slow-moving Model T.
He joined the Navy for World War II. It had a lifelong impact on him. He seldom had an incident that he couldn't somehow relate to Navy life. As children, we would often roll our eyes knowing some oft-repeated Navy story was coming out again. Dad enjoyed serving our country.
The best thing Dad ever did was to marry his dear Dolly. They had 5 children at a time when a family that size was considered large. They later relocated to Utah to raise the family. His mechanical love evolved into his life career of being a machinist and master tool and die maker. Dad worked at Hercules doing what he loved, making one-off special parts and consulting with the engineers on how to make something better. Dad never was one to spoil his kids. He felt leaving us to our own independence would help us develop a desire to succeed. It seemed a little tough at the time, but Dad, you were right.
Dad was the most honest person we have ever known. His example to us was to live a life of true Christian principles. He always had the biggest heart for those who needed help. His sick sister, Martha; his wife, Dolly, when cancer demanded she needed 24/7 help; those with special needs; and always animals. Dad broke his back on an ATV years ago. It left him with a quirky gait as he would walk the dog around the block. Neighbors always commented on how much they enjoyed seeing and talking with him as he strolled the neighborhood. The wise neighbors learned to avoid talks of politics and religion if they ever wanted to get back into their homes.
Dad is survived by his brother George Plumb (Beverly); he and Dolly's five children, Walter J. Plumb III (Peggy), Jack E. Plumb (Sue), Sally A. Tirs (George), Robert A. Plumb (Rebekah), and Richard L. Plumb (Connie); 20 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren, with more on the way. The family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the VA nursing home for the incredible care and love they show to all the veterans, especially our dad when he needed it most.
Services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, December 17th at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Chapel, 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah. The family will also receive visitors one hour prior to services.
In lieu of flowers, it would mean a lot to Walter if donations would be made to his favorite cause, the Humane Society of Utah.