Obituary: J. LaVar Bateman

J. LaVar Bateman 1920 ~ 2005 LaVar Bateman died peacefully at home in Provo, Utah, on July 6, 2005. LaVar lived every day as if it were his first and last. He was honest and even-handed, experienced great joy from life's simple tasks and pleasures, and walked through this life steadfast and humble, determined to leave it a better place. LaVar was born on June 6, 1920, the oldest of four boys, to Rela McMullin Bateman and James Robert Bateman. Before LaVar turned eight, his father died of typhoid fever. He became the man of the house until age 13 when his mother married A. Ray Beckstead, a widower with eight children. In this blended family of the depression, he learned to work hard, accept responsibility and live frugally. After graduating from Brigham Young University, LaVar served his country in the Navy during World War II, where he was skipper of a seaplane base in the Bahamas and communications officer at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. During the war he married his college sweetheart, Helen Mae Ream. He then earned his PhD in Speech Communication at the University of Wisconsin before joining the faculty at BYU. He took a two-year leave to develop a speech program in Guam and then moved his young family back to Provo and BYU. LaVar and Helen built their own home on Ash Avenue; they quarried, dressed and laid 65 tons of rock in the backbreaking process. LaVar taught public speaking and coached winning debate teams at BYU. Among his professional accomplishments, he served on the first Honors Program Council, was chairman of the University Forum Assemblies, and became Chairman of the Department. During his tenure at BYU, LaVar served as visiting professor at Michigan State University, the College of the Virgin Islands, and George Washington University in Maryland, and was an assistant to Senator Wallace Bennett in Washington DC. He directed many BYU Travel Study tours to Europe, plus a world tour and a Caribbean cruise. He was also the Director of Study Abroad in London. He has been an active member of Rotary International since 1954. LaVar and Helen mentored Rotary Exchange Students from several countries, and sponsored a number of Cambodian refugee families. LaVar was a bishop and high councilman, and served three full time missions with Helen (Sydney, Australia; Hanoi, Vietnam; and Honolulu, Hawaii) for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They have also been part-time hosting missionaries at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake City for the past 10 years. LaVar's self-proclaimed greatest accomplishment was rearing and mentoring his five children: Kim Bateman MD (Linda), Shauna Horne-deceased--(Rick), Kathleen Peterson (Steve), Lucinda Bateman MD, and Kyle Bateman (Julee). His children hope to honor him with their lives and accomplishments. LaVar also said, "By far, the most important person of influence in my life is my wonderful wife and companion, Helen Mae Ream I think we make a great team and we need each other." LaVar is survived by his brothers Robert and Mack, and was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bertin, and daughter Shauna. A memorial service honoring LaVar will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, July 9, 2005, at the Oak Hills Seventh Ward Chapel in Provo, 1038 N. 1200 E. (Birch and Apple). The family will receive friends at the Chapel beginning at 1:30 p.m. There will be a graveside service for family and close friends earlier that day, 10:00 a.m., South Jordan Memorial Cemetery (1055 W. 10630 S., South Jordan) In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the LDS Perpetual Education Fund or a service organization of your choice.