James Steven Dumler
December 5, 1974 – May 25, 2012
After a valiant, lifelong fight with Cystic Fibrosis, James Steven Dumler was
taken home to live with his Savior and those who have passed before him.
James was born December 5, 1974 in Laramie, Wyoming to Cheryl
(Hawley) and Cecil Dumler. Due to health reasons, which were diagnosed
in late infancy as CF, he was cared for and reared by his maternal
grandparents. This led to him calling his Grandma and Grandpa While,
Mom and Dad. When the severity of his CF was completely diagnosed,
it was determined the family should move to a better climate, Arizona, in
hopes of prolonging his health.
He spent his elementary years and some of his junior high years in the
Mesa/Phoenix/Tempe, Arizona areas. It was here where he and his dad
forged their lifelong love of the Chicago Cubs (Cubs hold spring training
there).
In his junior high years they returned to Laramie, Wyoming; as James’
health had not progressed as his parents had hoped and better
employment, with better health benefits, still waited there for his dad. It
was during, this time period, eighth grade, that James would meet his
eternal sweetheart, B-Jo (Bonita Jo) Laing.
James graduated from Laramie High School in 1993. He participated
on the boys swim team, swimming the 500 meter. Swimming helped his
health and strengthened his lungs, which may have help to prolong his life;
the life that his doctors said would end before graduating from high school.
James was an excellent and competitive swimmer, winning at meets
and eventually lettering in the sport. After high school, he attended one
semester at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wyoming,
however due to health concerns, he was unable to return and complete his
higher education, at that time.
In 1996, James and B-Jo were married, June 15th, and they moved to
American Fork, Utah in August. They were later sealed for time and all
eternity in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple on March 17, 2001. James held a
number of different jobs throughout his life, but the majority of his working
years were spent in retail sales of automotive parts. He also served for
a few years as an assistant swim coach for American Fork and Lone
Peak High Schools teams. His girls’ team from LPHS took the State
Championship their first two years.
In 2008, James decided he wanted to continue his higher education. He
sought a program where he could pursue a degree in Military History, with
emphasis on history of the U.S. Navy. James’ family had a long history of
being Navy men and not having been able to join the Navy had been very
disappointing to him and he believed this was a way for him to fulfill his
dream. James was working toward a Bachelor’s degree, but as his health
began to decline, and he opted to apply for an Associate’s Degree. He
received his degree from American Military University in November 2011.
B-Jo and James were never able to have children, so they adopted a sweet
puppy in 2008; a black Lab/Australian Blue Heeler mix. They named him
Foster. He has been James’ pride and joy. They shared a precious bond
and still very much do.
James was preceded in death by parents (grand,) Robert and Patricia
While; grandfather, Elmer Dumler; great-grandfather, Donald Riley; his
beloved Grandma Mimi; and grandpa-in-law, Robert Laycock.
James is survived by his wife of almost 16 years (they’ve known each other
24 years), B-Jo and his buddy, Foster. He is also survived by his biological
mother, Cheryl (Dale) Bourquin, of Rupert, Idaho; estranged father, Cecil
Dumler, of Laramie, Wyoming; brother, Billy (Sirrena) Emler, of Rupert, ID;
sister, Tabitha Emler, of Laramie, WY; brother, JD(Brandi) Emler, of Boise
ID; aunt, Gail (Harlan) Rigsby, of Searcy, Arkansas; aunt, Sue(Ricky) Tate,
of Searcy, AR; uncle, Roy (Cheri) While, of Gardner, Kansas; uncle, Terry
While, of Phoenix, Arizona; and uncle, Jeff While, of St. Louis, Missouri.
Additionally he is survived by nephews, Ty Rubeling; Austin, Tristan,
James, and Christian Emler; Travis Beecher; Shaun Duden; nieces,
Makayla and Neveah Emler; Aryanna Duden; and great-niece, Chastity
Rubeling.; grandmother, Bonnie Dumler, of Laramie, WY; grandmother,
Maxine Riley-Morey, of Adrian, Missouri; as well as other extended family.
He will be especially missed by surviving members of his wife’s family
including: Susan and Jim Hunter (mother, step-father), of LaGrange,
WY; Carolyn and Wayne Laing (step-mother and father), of Casper, WY;
Robert (brother) and Teresa Laing, of Pinedale, WY; Josh (brother) and
Lindsey Hunter, of Boise, ID; Dale (brother) and Cindy Hunter, currently
stationed in South Korea; Ben (brother) and Camie Hunter, of Taylorsville,
UT; Roland (brother) and Susie Jones, currently stationed in Tucson, AZ;
and Daryl (brother) and Rachel Peay, of Pocatello, ID. This also includes:
nephews: Jordan, RJ, Zach, J2, Shinook, Aaron, Ray and Tommy; nieces,
Alanna, Laura, Mary Bonita, Eliza, Annie, Donna, Lydia, and Mackenzie;
grandmothers, Donna Laycock, of LaGrange, WY and Juanita Laing, of
Casper, WY; and ‘nephew dog’, Kini, currently living with B-Jo. He is also
survived by numerous other extended family members and loving friends
who are closer than family. All will miss him dearly.
His last labored breaths were on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 10:30 am at
University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where James
had many loving and compassionate caregivers. B-Jo held his hand as he
crossed the veil. Cremation has been done by Aspen Funeral Services in
Sandy, Utah.
Services for James will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 1:00 PM. This
Celebration of Life for James will take place at the LDS Chapel located at
507 W 700 N American Fork, UT 84003. There will be a luncheon to follow
the services.
Condolences can be made to B-Jo, Foster, and the family through the
website here or by mailing to 580 N 420 W American Fork, UT 84003-1124.
