We Remember Those We Have Lost

We Remember Those We Have Lost
Obits Pic Mumford Irv pic

Irving S. Mumford, III

WEST OCEAN CITY — On Saturday evening, Jan. 14, 2012, Irving S. Mumford, III, 87, joined his precious wife Juanita in the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, at his home in West Ocean City.

He was born Irving Sturgis Mumford in Los Angeles, California, on Oct. 11, 1924, the son of the late Irving Solomon Mumford and Elizabeth Susan (Betty) Dickinson Mumford. Irv lived in Portland and Seaside, Oregon, before moving with his family to his father’s hometown of Ocean City in the early 1930’s, where he lived for much of the rest of his life.  As a young boy, he watched history in the making when the inlet was cut through Ocean City in 1933.     

Irv married Juanita Ruth Feldmann of Baltimore on Sept. 4, 1949, at the “old” First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City. They made their home in West Ocean City for more than 60 years in the house that Irv built himself, and in which he died. Juanita went to the Lord on Jan. 10, 2011, after 61 years of marriage.

Irv is survived by his children, David J. Mumford and his wife Julie, Judge Daniel R. Mumford and his wife Liz, and Susanne C. Foster and her husband Bob, all of Ocean City; his grandson, Phillip J. Mumford and his wife, Tamara and great grandson, Fletcher David Mumford, all of Utah; and his grandson, C. Fletcher Mumford and his wife Angie, and great granddaughter, Mykaela Christian Mumford, all of Jupiter, Fla. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Charlene and Joyce Mumford of Florida, and Peggy Mumford of Ocean City. He is also survived by his aunt, Frances Elliott Mumford, of Ocean City, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many, many friends and members of his church family. In addition to his parents, Irv was predeceased by his brothers, Paul, Bill, and John Mumford, and his sister, Virginia Mumford Terry.

Irv was a proud veteran of the United States Navy during World War II. He enlisted just after his 18th birthday in 1942, and he rose to Quartermaster First Class. After basic training and quartermaster school, he spent almost the rest of his Navy career aboard the USS YMS 276, a 135-foot minesweeper. He was with the ship when it was commissioned in Bellingham, Washington. Following a shakedown cruise off the coast of California, the ship was assigned to convoy escort duty throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. Then the ship was assigned to minesweeping and anti-submarine patrol along the East Coast from New York City Harbor.

In 1944 the YMS 276 sailed back to the Pacific for duty in the Marshall, Carolina, Palau, and Mariana Islands. The ship participated in the invasion and battle of Okinawa. At the close of the war, the YMS 276 was the 8th Allied vessel to enter Tokyo Bay. It was given the task, along with other YMS’s, of clearing the anchorage of the Bay so that the larger units of the 3rd Fleet could enter and anchor in safety in preparation for the acceptance of the surrender of the Japanese government and military forces to the Allies. Irv reminisced that “we didn’t sweep up any mines, but we swept up just about every buoy in Tokyo Bay.” Irv was a witness to history; from his ship, he had the privilege of observing the surrender ceremony on the deck of the nearby USS Missouri, which formally ended World War II.

Following the surrender, the YMS 276 participated in sweeping the harbors and bays of southern Japan. During this time they “rode out” two typhoons which sunk or damaged numerous other ships. Finally, in early 1946, the YMS 276 headed for home. Irv left his ship and was honorably discharged in March of 1946, and the YMS 276 was decommissioned a few months later. For his service, Irv received the Pacific Theater Ribbon with 1 battle star, Good Conduct Ribbon, American Theatre Ribbon, and Victory Medal.

Irv was well-known in the sport fishing industry in Ocean City. Before and after the War he was a mate on charter boats in Ocean City and Florida. After their marriage, Irv and Juanita owned and operated Irv’s Boats in downtown Ocean City. With his brother he owned and operated Mumford’s Marine, and was later employed at Boulden’s Marina, and for years he managed Paul’s Tackle Shop, all in Ocean City. Since 1980 he and his family owned and operated Oyster Bay Tackle in Ocean City and Fenwick Tackle, in Fenwick Island, Delaware. Irv was highly skilled and talented. He made hundreds of custom-built fishing rods and thousands of custom-made teasers which were shipped all over the country and world. A custom-built rod by Irv Mumford was (and is) a prized possession. Irv was an excellent rod and real repairman, and he was a recognized expert in all matters of fishing in the Ocean City area. He will be greatly missed by his customers, and especially by his co-workers and employees, who he considered to be like family.

Irv’s life was a reflection of his Christian living and giving. He was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City for over 60 years. He gave generously of his time and effort in the life and activities of the Church. He served as a trustee, elder, and Sunday school teacher.

Irv was devoted to his wife Juanita, his family, and to God. He will be greatly missed by all.

A memorial service with military honors will be held Sunday, Jan. 29, at 1:30 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, Philadelphia Avenue and 13th Street, Pastor Alex Ayers officiating. Friends may call an hour before the service. Interment will follow in the Mumford family plot in Evergreen Cemetery near Berlin. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, 1301 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, Md. 21842, or Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

Elizabeth S. Hemmick

OCEAN PINES — Elizabeth S. Hemmick died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at the Berlin Nursing Home.

Born in Spartanburg, S.C., she was the daughter of the late John Y. Southall and Mary Walker Southall. Mrs. Hemmick had worked for many years as a medical secretary. Being a lady of southern heritage, with a kind and loving soul, she played classical piano and sang with the Pinetones Chorus along with her husband for many years. She was a true music lover.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas Hemmick; two sons, Douglas L. Hemmick and Thomas K. Hemmick and his wife Lucinda; a brother, John Y. Southall, Jr.; and one grandson, Nicholas Hemmick.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012 at 1 p.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. Rev. Michael Moyer will officiate. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment will be private.