HUMPHREY, Wesley Louis (Wes)

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published Saturday, June 2, 2012 - July 29, 1928 — May 28, 2012 Wes Humphrey passed away peacefully May 28, 2012 in Lake Havasu City at the Hospice of Havasu Polidori House. Wes was born in Chicago, Ill., to Earl and Marizoe Humphrey, and raised in Whiting, Ind. Following high school graduation, Wes served with the U.S. Army in Korea, then used the GI Bill to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at Indiana University in 1952, serving as the Marching 100 Drum Major all four years. After he began teaching, he completed his Masters Degree and began a Doctorate program at IU. Wes directed high school music programs in Aurora, Hagerstown, Delphi, and Whiting, Ind., before he moved his family to Arizona in 1966 to become the Buena High Band Director in Sierra Vista. In 1973, he relocated once more to Lake Havasu City where he directed the Lake Havasu High School Music Department until retiring in 1989. He came out of retirement numerous times to teach, substitute or conduct music workshops. He remained in contact with many former students from Hagerstown, Sierra Vista, and Lake Havasu and enjoyed attending class and band reunions. Music was Wes’s primary passion, and he spent hours writing and arranging music. He was the founding director of the Lake Havasu Orchestra and the Lake Havasu Symphonic Winds, which he conducted for 14 years. He was also the original French horn player with Top Brass Quintet and the guest conductor of Tuba Christmas. Wes was preceded in death by father, Earl; mother, Marizoe; and sister; Harlene. He is survived by wife, Bonnie, of Lake Havasu City; sons, Todd (Maria), of Redlands, Calif., and Kurtiss (LeRae), of Palmdale, Calif. Also surviving are grandchildren, Erin, Katelyn, and Sean; and great-grandchildren, Deacon and Dominic. A Celebration of Life Open House will be held June 10 between 1 and 5 p.m. on the patio of Mudshark Brewery on Swanson. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lake Havasu Symphonic Winds (PO Box 3656) or Hospice of Havasu PO Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Thoughts and condolences can be sent to Wes’s family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were placed under the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home & Crematory.