Loren Plummer, Jr.

Loren Wesley Plummer, Jr., age 87, was born January 25, 1925, in Chetopa, Kansas to Loren Wesley and Martha Smith Plummer. Wes, as he was known, passed away suddenly, Friday, July 20, 2012. Wes grew up in Wewoka, Oklahoma and joined the Marine Corp, February 3, 1943 during his senior year in High School after his 18th birthday. Seniors who were passing could do that and still graduate. He received boot camp training in San Diego, California. Wes volunteered for the Marine Paratroops. After Paratroop training at Camp Gillespie, CA, he was assigned to the 3rd Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Parachute Regiment at Camp Elliott. His Battalion was sent to New Caledonia in September, 1943 on a converted luxury liner. After a few days, they boarded an APA ship and left for Guadalcanal. From Guadalcanal they went into combat on the island of Vella LaVella, and then to the island of Bougainville. The Marine Paratroops were disbanded and most of them were assigned to the 5th Marine Division. Wes was assigned to H Co. 3rd Battalion 28th Marine Regiment. Wes was a machine gun squad leader in a weapons platoon. The 5th Marines were trained at Camp Pendleton, CA. In August, 1944, they were sent to Hawaii where they were sent to Camp Tarawa to continue training. On January 27, 1945 they left Pearl Harbor for the Island of Iwo Jima. The 28th Marine Regiment's first objective was to secure Mount Suribachi when they landed on Iwo Jima. It was estimated they would secure the island in 3 to 4 days, based on intelligence reports. After securing Suribachi, they continued fighting for 31 days. Wes was involved in combat for the full 36 days. After the Japanese signed the Instrument of Surrender at Tokyo Bay, Japan, September 2, 1945, the 5th Marines landed on the Island of Kyushu to see that the Japanese complied with the signed document. Wes was Honorably Discharged, November 23, 1945 with the rank of Sergeant. He received the following decorations: Silver Star, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with bronze star, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with four Stars, Navy Occupation SVC Medal with Asia Clasp, World War II Victory Medal and Combat Action Ribbon. Wes graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1951 with a Civil Engineering Degree. Wes worked locally for Lumus Construction Co. during the construction of Suntide Refinery, currently known as Flint Hills Resources. He was a Vice President for Berry Contracting for 15 years. In 1981 he started his own business, Plummer Consulting Service, Inc. Under this name, he worked for many refineries both locally and in multiple states, Valero, Koch Refinery, Orion Refinery, Texaco, Citgo, Coastal States and others. He was an active member of Grace United Methodist Church, The Marine Corps League, a benefactor lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He was also involved with the DAV, a volunteer at the USS Lexington, Shriners International, former director of the Corpus Christi Chapter of the American Red Cross, Nueces County Youth Rodeo, Nueces County Jr. Livestock Show benefactor, a Mason for over 60 years, life member of University of Oklahoma Alumni Association, life member of the 5th Marine Division Association and Association of WWII Marine Corp Parachutes Unit. Wes was a true patriot and proud American. He enjoyed firearms, shooting, reloading, volunteering and God's great outdoors. Preceding him in death are his first wife and the mother of his children, Sybil Cross Plummer, his daughter, Lauren Plummer Sheets, and stepson, Mike Dobbs. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kay Rucker Plummer, 2 daughters, Lynn Plummer Dalton, and Lugene Plummer, stepdaughter, Bonnie Berry (Dennis), stepson, Lee Griswold (Connie): grandchildren, Lisa Dalton Card (Lealand), Carl Dalton, Beth Sheets Kizer (Brandon), Brandon, Kayla and Hunter Berry, Lauren Bradley, Sara Bradley, Kevin Griswold and 6 great grandchildren: Lauren and Jackson Kizer, Brenden Card, Ethan Bradley, Abbey Love Parrish, & Lila Murray, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 22, 2012 from 2:00 to 8:00 P.M. with the family present form 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Sawyer George Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be conducted on Monday, July 23, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. in the Grace United Methodist Church, 14521 Northwest Blvd, in Calallen. Interment will follow in the Seaside Memorial Park. Memorial Donations may be made to Grace United Methodist Church Building Fund.