In Bohemia, some famous musician was named Lumir, so when the firstborn was a boy, my father chose that name for him in hopes he would become famous, too. During Lumie's youth, Pop tried to teach him to play the trumpet, but Lumie just didn't take to it. This didn't win Lumie ( his nick name) any stars or "Brownie points" as the expression goes.
Lumir, being the only boy in the family, had to do the daily outdoor chores such as chopping wood and bringing it in for the cooking fire. As he grew older, he had to help Pop do the heavier work in the orchard. He loved to read and was a good student. We girls used to tease him about being able to do three things at once -- read a book while rocking in a rocking chair and twisting a curl at the side of his head.
Because of his ill health in San Francisco, Lumie was small for his age, and in high school didn't take part in athletics other than the required Physical Ed. Unfortunately he graduated in 1932, in the midst of the depression, and college was out of the question. He was able to take a fifth year in high school just to further his education before he was old enough to get a steady job.
In 1933 Pop was able to get Lumie a job at the Cement Plant as a sample boy, a job that paid 68¢ an hour, 18¢ an hour better than minimum wage at that time. It was steady work and his earnings helped the family budget. He was allowed to keep a small allowance, and when he saved enough, he bought himself a camera, which was the beginning of his interest in photography.
Prior to 1938 he took the clerk-carrier test for Post Office work and did so well he was on the top of the list for hiring. He started as a substitute carrier from 1938 to 1940 earning 68¢ an hour. He had a regular route as a carrier from 1940 to 1958, was Foreman of Carriers from 1958 to 1961, Assistant Superintendent of Mail, 1961 to 1969 and Assistant Postmaster from 1969 until retirement in 1975. Having had enough of the stress of the job, he decided to take early retirement as soon as he could.
During World War II, he had leave from the post office and served in the 10th Mountain Division in Italy after training at Vail, Colorado. Because of his Post Office experience, he had the job of handling mail working himself up to Tech 5 (Corporal), and after his discharge, stayed in the Reserves. He did his Reserve duty for two weeks each summer until he had his twenty years in, and retired as 1st Sergeant (E8) of the unit.
While working in the Post Office, Lumie met Jyme whose sister, Bonnie, worked there, too. In 1939, after graduating from high school, Jyme worked in the school library. When she finished work for the day, she would go to the Post Office to wait for a ride home with Bonnie. Lumie saw her daily, and one day asked Bonnie if he could get a date with Jyme. Bonnie's response was, "Ask her yourself," which he did, and that was the start of their romance. He gave her an engagement ring in December 1940 and they were married on April 5, 1941.
By the time Lumie went overseas, Kathleen and Lee were born so Jyme had her hands full taking care of the little ones. When Lumie returned to Merced, they lived on the farm for a couple of years while they had their house built in town. Alex and Chuck came along later, and all youngsters went to Merced schools.
After retirement Lumie took up golf which he enjoyed playing two or three times a week. He did his own yard work and had lovely flowers to show for it. He also kept the family supplied with vegetables and berries. Also in their back yard they had an orange tree, two walnut trees, two almond trees, and later added a lemon and an olive tree. The crops usually were bountiful and enjoyed by many friends and relatives.
Lumie and Jyme enjoyed numerous trips, visiting some 30 countries where he took many lovely slide photos, which he enjoyed sharing with others. Both Jyme and Lumie were very active in numerous organizations in Merced.
About 1995, Lumie’s health started failing and his equilibrium became a problem. On July 4, 1997, while at a picnic at Yosemite Lake, he fell and bumped his head causing hemorrhaging in the brain. This required surgery from which he seemed to recover, but later more hemorrhaging took place. He remained hospitalized until his death on August 8, 1997.
His funeral service was very well attended as he had friends in so many organizations in Merced. His ashes are interred in the Evergreen Memorial Park where Mom’s and Pop’s ashes are also.
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A TRIBUTE FROM THE KIWANIS CLUB
KIWANIS CLUB OF GREATER MERCED
OCTOBER 21, 1996
PROGRAM: The club honored and paid tribute to the life, accomplishments, and contributions of Lumir (Lumie) Výborný .
GENERAL BACKGROUND:
Lumie was born August 22. 1915, in Los Angeles, California. His family and he moved to San Francisco in 1917. Until entering school the family did not speak English, only Czech. In 1925, Lumie’s family and he moved to Merced to a 10-acre fig farm north of Merced. Lumie went to school at Eschscholtzia. He graduated from high school in 1932.
EMPLOYMENT:
In 1933, Lumie took a job at the cement plant as a sample boy earning 68 cents per hour; 18 cents per hour higher than the minimum wage. In 1938 he worked as a substitute carrier for the post office. He had regular routes as a carrier from 1940 to 1958. In 1958 to 1961, he was foreman of carriers. In 1961 to 1969, he was Assistant Superintendent of mail. From 1969 to 1975, he was Assistant Post Master. Finally, in 1975 at the age of 60, Lumie retired from the pox office.
FAMILY:
While working in the post office, Lumie met Jyme’s sister, Bonnie, who worked with him. In 1939, after graduating from high school, Jyme worked in the school library. When she finished work for the day, she would go to the post office to wait for a ride home with Bonnie. Lumie saw her daily and one day asked Bonnie if he could get a date with Jyme. Bonnie's response was "Ask her yourself", which he did and that was the start of their relationship. Lumie married Jyme in 1941. Lumie has 4 adult children: Kathleen, Lee, Alex, and Chuck. From 1945 to 1948, Lumie and his family lived on the farm his parent had owned. Then he built a home in Merced where he and Jyme still live 48 years later.
MILITARY SERVICE:
During World War II, Lumie went into the service in the spring of 1943. He joined the 10th Mountain Division. He was stationed at Camp Hale, Colorado and skiing was their objective. In July 1944 the division was sent to Camp Swift, Texas. In December 1944, his division was deployed to Italy as a mountain division. Before leaving Camp Swift, a fellow trooper working in the Army Post Office was discharged. He gave Lumie's name as a possible replacement. Instead of front line fighting, he was transferred into the mail division. As Jyme states, "It was sheer luck." Lumie has traveled extensively traveling to 20 countries, 42 states and in 1969 he attended the 10th Mountain Division's 25th Anniversary Reunion in Italy. Approximately 264 division members and their families took 9 busses to Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy. Lumie joined the reserves, put in his 20 years and retired a 1st Sergeant.
HOBBIES:
Howard Larson introduced Lumie to Kiwanis. Lumie was an avid skier, loved to fish and hunt peasant, duck and geese. Lumie enjoys golfing, bowling up until last year, and life. Lumie belongs to the Bowling Association and was inducted into the American Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in the spring of 1996. He also is a member of the Merced County Historical Society and a past commander of the American Legion. Lumie does his own yard work and his lovely flowers show for it. Also, he keeps the family supplied with vegetables and berries.
Here's to Lumie and his wonderful past, present and a healthy and lengthy future.
1985
1941
Lumir and Helen - 1936
1931
1917