L.D. Umholtz was born June 18, 1963 in Little Rock, AR, the oldest child of Gale and Jo (Turner) Umholtz. As a young boy, he spent many happy days with his paternal grandmother and grandfather, Mama and Papa Macy, at their home in Landmark. An oft-told story of L.D. as a toddler involves him being told by Mama Macy to "go outside and dig a hole to China" while the adults were busy on a project. Hours later, it was noticed by everyone that they hadn't heard from L.D. in a while and went to look for him. Out by the shed was a deep hole with dirt flying out of it. He managed to dig a few feet deep with nothing more than a small shovel and tenacity. During their childhood, L.D.'s younger brother Lawton successfully set forth a lifelong hatred of grape soda for L.D. and their younger sister Sheri as well as L.D.'s disdain for nacho cheese Doritos, a story which his children found to be hilarious and asked to hear often.

In 1972 Gale's job relocated him to Thornton, CO and shortly after, he took a preaching position in Greeley, CO where L.D. remained until graduating from Greeley Central High School in 1981. His hair had grown long enough during his high school years that his dad told him to "cut it or perm it," which was met with him returning from the mall with a head full of curls instead of the cut his dad wanted. The perm was short lived, however, as L.D. enlisted in the Army as an infantryman during high school which also meant saying goodbye to his beloved 1966 Mustang that he restored with help from his dad and a family friend. While in basic training in Ft. Benning, GA he met a fellow soldier who recommended L.D. write to his sister, Sharon Fryman, in Ohio. They spent the summer writing letters back and forth before finally meeting in August. By February they were planning a Christmas wedding. The Army had other plans to have L.D. stationed in Germany by then so instead they married July 10, 1982. L.D. and Sharon welcomed their first son, Dustin, the following June. While stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, their daughter Brittany was born. In 1986, the family moved to Ft. Riley, Kansas. In December 1987, two weeks before L.D. was sent to Korea for a year their son Wesley arrived while on leave in Colorado, completing the family.

After his return, he was stationed in Ft. Benning once again where he would spend the rest of his military career, attaining the rank of E5 Sargeant. It was during this time that L.D. was deployed to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. While overseas, he was the class soldier for Brittany's kindergarten class, who would write letters to him. When he returned, he surprised Brittany and Dustin in their classrooms. She launched herself into her daddy's arms, knocking him backwards. When they got to Dustin's class, his teacher asked who was at the door. Dustin said with awe, "That's my dad!"

At the end of 1991, another move was made to Ohio to be near Sharon's family with the last major move made back to his home state of Arkansas in June 1993 where L.D.'s parents had returned a few years prior. He and his family lived in Grant County for the next 12 years. In August 2003, with the birth of his first granddaughter, L.D. was bestowed the title of Opa, a name he proudly carried the rest of his life. After graduating from John Brown University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems Technology in 2004, L.D. moved the family one last time to East End. He began work with North Little Rock Nissan in 2008 and took great pride in his position as lot manager. He could tell you anything you ever wanted to know about every vehicle that came through that lot for the many years he worked there. During this time, L.D. and Sharon welcomed 4 more granddaughters (one honorary) and 3 grandsons. L.D. was great with children and loved the joy his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews brought to his life. He never met a stranger and could always find something to talk about with anyone although his favorite topics were military history, movies (particularly "The Green Berets" and any James Bond film), and stories of his time in the Army. Not only was he proud to have served his country, he was also quick to thank other servicemembers for their service. He has passed his love of the military and weaponry on to his sons and his love of Star Trek: The Next Generation on to his daughter.

L.D. passed in his sleep at home on July 6, 2023 just four days before his 41st anniversary with Sharon. She is the love of his life, his constant companion, his angel, and as their wedding song says, his "Endless Love."

L.D. was preceded in death by his father (2017) and mother (2021). He is survived by wife Sharon, children Dustin (Anna), Brittany, Wesley, and honorary daughter Emily Roberts, grandchildren Katelynn, Ireland, Willow, Emersyn, Henry, Kaelar, Evelynn, and Logan, brother Lawton (Angie) and sister Sheri, as well as a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Sheridan, AR, funeral Wednesday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m., and commital at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock on Friday, July 14 at 10:00 a.m. Due to L.D. not being a suit and tie man, attendees are encouraged to wear jeans and patriotic clothing. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated to help with funeral costs.