Obituary for George “Dean” Umphrey

George “Dean” Umphrey, 78 of Douds, Iowa, died May 18, 2023, in Keota, Iowa.  

Dean was born July 22, 1944, in Fairfield, Iowa, to George D. and Delpha L. (Smith) Umphrey. He grew up mostly in Keosauqua, Iowa, with his siblings Lorene and Darla. Dean graduated from Van Buren Community High School.  Dean spent his life living in Van Buren County. After high school, he became involved in his parents’ businesses, Umphrey Insurance Agency and Van Buren Abstract Company, where he learned the skills to not only assist them, but to later own and operate the insurance business until his retirement in 2011. Dean appreciated all his customers and friends he met in his line of work.   

He married Marilyn Crist on August 25, 1967, in Douds, Iowa. Later, they became the proud parents of Melanie and Nathaniel. What fun and enjoyment he had travelling to the children’s school and extracurricular events and getting to know the many more friends!

As a child Dean became interested in fishing, boating, and hunting with his father.  This interest was a major part of his leisure time as long as he was able!  He enjoyed sharing it with many friends and relatives.  They enjoyed many hunting trips and owning and training Griffon hunting dogs, who also became family. He loved not only outdoor activities, but outdoor work on his acres near the river and in the woods. Dean also enjoyed travelling and RVing with his wife and family for many years.

He was a member of Methodist Churches in Keosauqua, Douds, and Selma, and served in various positions.  He was a member and Past Master of Celestial Lodge, AF&AM, Douds; was a charter member and past President of the original Keosauqua Jaycees, and member of Keosauqua Lions Club. He was a founding member of the Iowa Wild Turkey Federations and held memberships in Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Club and Pheasants Forever. He assisted with Boy Scouts and had been a Hunter Safety Education Instructor. He served many years on the Van Buren County Conservation Board, Van Buren County Board of Health, and the Van Buren County Civil Service Commission, and helped with many other community projects.      

Dean is survived by his wife Marilyn Umphrey of Douds, Iowa; his two children, Melanie (Chris) Cungtion of Peoria, Illinois and Nathaniel (Lindsey Latham) Umphrey of Savannah, Missouri; four grandchildren, Jamsia Powell of Justice, Illinois, Chris Cungtion, Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Damia Cungtion of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Devasier Cungtion, of Lithonia, Georgia; along with 13 great-grandchildren; siblings, Lorene Gaston of Keosauqua, Iowa and Darla Davis of Canton, Georgia; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Bill Crist, Ron and Darlene Crist, and Yvonne Strang, and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; a grandson, Christian Cungtion (October 2015); brothers-in-law, Ned Gaston, Walter Davis, and Max Strang, and sisters-in-law, Catharine Crist and Janis Mullikin.

In keeping with his wishes, his body was given to Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Research.  After cremation, a memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced.  Memorial gifts may be made to the Iowa Fish and Wildlife Trust Fund in Dean’s Name to support wildlife management to ensure that the activities and lands that Dean enjoyed are maintained and available for future generations; memorial gifts may also be mailed to the family at P.O. Box 68, Douds, Iowa 5255.