Obituary

Our loving husband, father, and grandfather, Peter Harry Lamphere, was called home to heaven on March 22, 2020. Born in Albany, NY on September 15, 1943, he was raised in Kennewick, WA by his parents, Peter Bradt and Ethel Elizabeth Lamphere.

As a high school senior, Peter joined the United States Naval Reserve in 1961 and became active duty for the United States Navy following his 1962 high school graduation. After serving as a medic in the Vietnam War, Peter was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart in 1967.

After his Naval service, Peter attended Pacific Lutheran University where he studied religion. He then joined Weaver Airline School and later worked for Delta Airlines in Chicago and Los Angeles.

While living in Los Angeles in 1968, Peter found a Unimart Market where a beautiful lady was working at the donut counter. After weeks of buying items, only to return them so that he could see the lady often, Peter asked her on a date. Linda Jane Holt and Peter had their first date on Valentine’s Day, 1968. Just eight months later, Peter and Linda married on October 18, 1968.

Peter and Linda have shared 51 beautiful years together and have been proud to raise three children: Peter Timothy (his wife, Edie), Cynthia Lynn (her husband, Chris), and Pamela Louise (her husband, James). Together they have enjoyed creating memories with their seven wonderful grandchildren: Austin, Dominique, Emily, Kirra, Alexandra, Sydney, and Peter Bon Wyatt IV.

Peter’s love language is acts of service. He served in the following fraternal organizations: Order of DeMolay, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (55 years), Rotary International (7 years), Masonic Lodge (2 years). Peter encouraged education and gladly served on two school boards: Rowland Unified School District, California (8 years) and Agua Fria School District, Arizona (4 years). Peter gave back to his community and was proud to serve as a Chaplain for over 30 years to numerous first responders: Los Angeles County Sherriff Office, Glendale Police Department, Goodyear Police Department, Goodyear Fire Department, and West Valley Hospital. He was a committed member of First Christian Church of Rowland Heights, California, where he served as an Elder and Deacon for 15 years. Peter enjoyed helping our community youth, and he taught Bible class at Palms Academy in Goodyear, Arizona for two years. His recent home church, Christ Presbyterian Church in Goodyear, Arizona, gave him the opportunity to volunteer as a security professional and assisting other members to enjoy attending the Lord’s service each Sunday morning.

His legacy of commitment to his family, church, and community will live on through the many lives he has touched over his 76 years of life.

A celebration of life will be planned in the summer once everyone stops hoarding toilet paper and swiping all the eggs.

Peter is finer than frog’s hair now, and at home with our Lord and Savior.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Saturday, March 28, 2020, at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ. Condolences for the family may be left below.