Shuter and Maple reflect on Lamie
The farmer who was elected president of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council in November died unexpectedly Friday morning at his home in West Point, near Lafayette. Gary Lamie was 53. The man he replaced as head of the corn checkoff board, Mike Shuter, said he’ll greatly miss the person with whom he developed a great friendship.
“A lot of that was through our wanting to further the corn industry in this state as much as we could and just that desire from both of us really. But it was a great friendship, the kind where every once in awhile he would stop at the Beef House over in Covington and he would call me and tell me he was there and he wanted to know what I would order if I was there. It was just that kind of a friendship,” he said.
The two spent many hours on the road back and forth to St. Louis and Washington DC, and Shuter added, “It’s just a tragic loss for his family and it’s hard to imagine what they’re going through. It’s a tragic loss for the corn industry in the state. Gary had so much insight as to where we needed to be headed and the drive to get a lot of things done. It’s just a tragic loss for all of us I think.”
Recently elected ICMC vice president Dennis Maple of Greentown in Howard County told HAT that Lamie’s replacement will have very big shoes to fill.
“Gary had a quiet air about him and it wasn’t about Gary in what he did. He looked out for the best interests of the organization, the council and the Indiana farmer and Indiana corn farmer especially. I’ve only known him since I’ve been on the board and I would consider him one of my better friends, just a great guy to work with who is very organized. He had a great love for what he did, farming and community service and organizations like the corn growers and corn marketing council. He was just an outstanding individual to work with.”
Lamie had just completed service as president of the Indiana Corn Growers Association and was currently vice chairman of the National Corn Growers Association’s Research & Business Development Action Team.
“We were saddened to learn of the passing of Gary Lamie,” said Jane Ade Stevens, CEO of the Indiana corn and soybean organizations. “He was an exceptional farmer, leader and friend to many, and we will miss him dearly. Our sincere condolences are with his wife Kathleen and the entire Lamie family.”
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at Hippensteel Funeral Home. Services will be 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at Christ United Methodist Church, 3610 S. 18th Street, Lafayette followed by a burial at Sugar Grove Cemetery in Jackson Township.
Memorial contributions may be made to Food Finders food pantry in Lafayette, the United Way “Read to Succeed” program and the Christ United Methodist Church. Hippensteel Funeral Home entrusted with care. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com.