Location: Baker St.

Born: January 9, 1920 Tours, McLennan County, Texas

Died: March 26, 2014 Waco, McLennan County, Texas

Parents:
Joseph Anthony Uptmor (1892 – 1963)
Matilda Agatha Maca Uptmor (1891 – 1960)

Spouse:
Mildred Louis Herbelin Uptmore (1927 – ____)

A. J. Uptmore, 94, of China Spring, passed away Wednesday, March 26, 2014. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m, Friday, March 28, at Lake Shore Funeral Home, in Waco. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 29, at Lake Shore Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Jerry Smith of the First Baptist Church of Clifton officiating. Burial will follow in China Spring Cemetery

Alphonse Joe was born in Tours, Texas, to the late Joseph Uptmore, Sr. and Matilda (Maca) Uptmore, the fourth of six children. He grew up in Tours and attended schools there.  In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the South Pacific, the Solomon Islands, and Guadalcanal campaigns. He was wounded in battle, received the Purple Heart, and returned to the United States in 1944.

A.J. married Mildred “Mickey” Herbelin on April 27, 1946, in Waco, Texas. The couple have made their home in the China Spring area since 1948. In the early years, A.J. was employed with Downing Brothers Construction and he farmed full-time most  Three children were born to their marriage.

A.J. has served on the China Springs ISD School Board, the Double Circle CO-OP Board, the Production Credit Association Board, and the McLennan County Electric Cooperative Board. He loved fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family. He has been a Baptist nearly all of his adult life and served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon.

He was preceded in death by all of his siblings; and a granddaughter.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Mickey Uptmore, of China Spring; sons, Danny Uptmore and wife, Vicki, of Hewitt, and Terry Uptmore and wife, Danida, of McGregor; daughter, Brenda Smith and husband, Jerry, of Clifton;  eleven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; many other relatives and numeous friends.

Waco Tribune-Herald: 3/27/2014…B15