Verlin Henry "Frenchy" LaMay of Oshkosh, let go and pulled up his net on the afternoon of August 14, 2005, at the age of 83.\r\nHe was born in Eau Claire, Wis., on June 19, 1922, the son of the late Paul and Lillian (Schilling) LaMay. He was united in marriage to Nan E. Bachkal in Green Lake on August 30, 1960. Nan preceded him in death on May 6, 1996.\r\nFrenchy proudly served his country during World War II in the United States Army Air Corps from 1940 to 1946. He began as an instructor at Lowry Field, Denver, for three years and was sent to Yale University to be commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. He was assigned to the Asiatic Pacific Theater in Japan during the war, and was discharged on January 28, 1946, as 1st lieutenant. He received his Bachelor's of Science degree in education at Eau Claire University in 1949, and later his master's at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1960. For 30 years, he taught science courses and was eventually elected department head at Oshkosh West High School, retiring in 1982. \r\nFrenchy will be remembered for many things (not all of them noble) but perhaps his finest achievement was his talent for finding the big fish on the Chippewa Flowage. Frenchy was first introduced to musky hunting by his dear friend and mentor, the late Bruce Tasker. Eventually Frenchy began crafting his own musky lures, because the top water lures of the day didn't impress him much. Over many years of trial and error, the perfect Le Lure was crafted, and sold commercially as a "must-have" collectible for anyone taking musky hunting seriously. Frenchy was a member of several Masonic lodge organizations and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Most importantly, he was a man with a big heart and a deeply passionate love for nature and all its wonders.\r\nVerlin will be forever missed by his only daughter, Ann and her husband, Paul Narveson of Oshkosh; his sister, Eileen (Schuyler "Bunk") Van Gorden of Eau Claire, and their children, Karen (Mark) Smith, Schuyler "Skip" (Jane) Van Gorden, DDS, James (Caroline "Nook") Van Gorden and Cynthia Bast. He is further survived by 29 great-nieces and - nephews; and his dear friend, Larry Cockrum of Oshkosh. \r\nFuneral services for Verlin will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2005, at Seefeld Family of Funeral Chapels, 300 N. Eagle Street, Oshkosh, Wis., with Reverend Steve Powers officiating. A time of visitation and fellowship will be held on Saturday at the funeral chapel from noon until the time of services. Graveside services, Wednesday, August 31, 2005, Forest Hill Cemetery, Eau Claire with The Rev. Bruce N. Gardner officiating.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials to the Oshkosh Area Humane Society would be most appreciated.\r\nFisherman's PrayerGod grant that I may live to fishUntil my dying day.And when it comes to my last cast,I then most humbly pray,When in the Lord's safe landing netI'm peacefully asleep,That in His mercy I be judgedAs big enough to keep.

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