Dwight Ivan Pumphrey

Dwight Ivan Pumphrey, 102, of Hebron, Nebraska, passed away on Thursday, November 18, 2021 in comfort care at Thayer County Hospital, after a short illness.

Dwight was born June 30, 1919 in Ohiowa, Nebraska to Floyd and Mabel Pumphrey, as the second of five children.   The family moved to Boulder, Colorado then Idaho Falls, Idaho to get medical help for their oldest son, Walter. They moved back to Nebraska and homesteaded southeast of Lyman, near the Wyoming border.  Dwight played football for Lyman High School and graduated in 1937.  He graduated from the University of Nebraska with an agricultural degree in 1941.  It was there he met Patricia Preston, who later became his wife.  After graduation he was drafted into the Army during WWII.  He trained at several bases including West Point.  He fought in the African, Italian, and German campaigns.  Beginning as a corporal, he advanced quickly to first lieutenant.  He was awarded the Bronze Star, the fourth highest combat award of the United States Armed Forces.  He was released from active duty in October 1945.  He remained in the reserves for 15 years, and retired as a major.  He deployed to Fort Ord, California during the Berlin Crisis in 1962.  After WWII, Dwight began his career with the Soil Conservation Service in Lexington, Nebraska, in 1945, and a year later transferred to Aurora where he worked for 14 years.  The family moved to Hebron in 1961, and ran the SCS office until his retirement in 1975.

Dwight was dedicated to his family, church and community.  He was involved in the rebuilding of the Hebron United Methodist Church in 2000 and helped get the easements for the land that was used to expand Highway 81.  He was the “unofficial” assistant manager to his son Greg at the Hebron Country Club for 20 years.  Dwight enjoyed hunting, fishing, and Nebraska volleyball and football.

Dwight was a devoted husband to his wife, Patricia, for 73 years until her death in 2019.  He was the loving father of three sons:  Roger (Lisa) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Gregory (Susan) of Hebron, and Harold (deceased).  He leaves behind eight grandchildren:  Alyssa (Robert) Kallal, Cary (Rebecca) Pumphrey, Ann “Hether” (Patrick) Cahill, Holly (Michael) Wagner, Danielle (Shaun) Pumphrey, Caitlin (Steven) Brunton, Drew Pumphrey, and Rachelle (Richard) Christen.  He also leaves behind thirteen greatgrandchildren.  He is survived by his sister, Edith Solomon of Blair, NE.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Mabel Pumphrey, and siblings Walter, Vance, and Paul.  Dwight lived a full life, and now is reunited with Pat and Hal, and his other family members in Heaven.

The memorial service is limited to family, due to COVID-19 concerns, but will be live-streamed on the Chester-Hebron United Methodist Parish Facebook page on Tuesday, November 23 at 10:30 am CST.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Hebron United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 203 Hebron, NE 68370.

Click "open video" below for a link to the live stream of the service.