Services: 10:30 a.m., today, Fry Funeral Home, Tipton.

ATALISSA, Iowa — James Erwin LaMar, 42, of Atalissa, died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008, in Minneapolis, surrounded by his wife, son and family, following a long and courageous battle with leukemia.

Burial will be at Tipton Masonic Cemetery. The Rev. Ron Lashmit will officiate.

Mr. LaMar was born Sept.14, 1966, in Davenport, the son of Larry Foote and Rita (Butterbrodt) Foote. He was a 1985 graduate of Lincoln High School in Stanwood, and was united in marriage to Renata R. Roethler on Aug. 4, 1996, at their home near Atalissa.

He was a self-employed carpenter prior to his illness.

He loved his family, friends, pets and the outdoors. He believed in living life to the fullest, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a die-hard Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs fan.

He is survived by his wife; 16-year-old son Christopher LaMar, at home; mother and stepfather, Rita and David Bilsland of Cedar Rapids; his biological father and stepmother, Larry and Judy Foote of Bettendorf; four brothers, Kevin (Dawn) LaMar of Cedar Rapids, John (Susie) LaMar of Central City, Dennis (Kathy) LaMar Jr. of Stanwood, and Steven LaMar of Tipton; two sisters, Karla (Mike) Crossen of Lowden and Mary (Rick) Balke of Mechanicsville; and 27 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his adoptive father, Dennis M. LaMar, Sr.; maternal grandmother Erna Carroll; and maternal grandfather Milo Carroll.