Obituary for Owen "Junior" Lunsford Jr.
Owen Jesse “Junior” Lunsford, Jr., 94, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Wednesday, March 17, 2021, at Capital Region Medical Center.
He was born on August 16, 1926 in Sand Ridge, Illinois, a son of Owen Jesse and Alma Lucille (Garris) Lunsford Sr. He was married on February 27, 1954 in Chamois, Mo. to Patsy Irene Curtie, who preceded him in death on May 16, 2013.
Owen graduated from Gorham High School in 1945. He then went on to serve in the Illinois National Guard.
In 1952, he began his career as a signal maintainer with the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He worked there for 36 years, retiring in 1988. In his retirement, Owen worked part-time with Freeman Mortuary for 25 years.
Owen had a lifelong commitment to the Masonic Lodge and was bestowed as a 33rd degree Mason over 20 years ago. He served as a 70-year member of the Masonic Lodge in both Jefferson City and Chamois, a 50-year member of the Scottish Rite in Columbia, and a 54-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Victoria Chapter #14. He was a past member of the Moolah Temple, past Master of the Jefferson Lodge No. 43, A.F. & A.M. and a past District Deputy Grand Master for the 31st District. Owen was also a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City.
Owen was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, enjoyed going to the casino with his daughters, and having coffee with his friends. He had an outgoing personality and a willingness to help in whatever capacity was needed. Owen was a true friend that everyone loved to be around.
Survivors include: his daughters, Jackie Price (Jim) and Robin Lunsford, both of Jefferson City, Mo.; sister, Judy Shapiro of Ocala, Fl.; sister-in-law, Vivian Vahrenberg of Jefferson City, Mo.; grandchildren, Amanda Allen (Brian) and Melissa Bruemmer (Brad) all of Jefferson City, Mo.; and great-grandchildren, Hunter Allen, Haiden Allen, Owen Bruemmer and Reece Ann Bruemmer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 59 years, Patsy; sister, Joanne Steffens; and brother, Harold Lunsford.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 11:00 am until 12:00 Noon Saturday, March 20, 2021.
Masonic Services will be conducted at 12:00 Noon Saturday, March 20, 2021 under the auspices of the Jefferson Lodge No. 43, A.F. & A.M. A funeral service will immediately follow the Masonic Service with the Reverend Dr. Stephen Buchholz officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Everyone is welcome to attend his services while following social distancing guidelines.
A webcast of the service will begin at 12:00 PM Saturday for friends that are not able to attend by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this page and scrolling down to the webcasting link. Please click the speaker icon to enable sound.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Hospice Compassus, 600 Monroe St., Suite 100, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to his family.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.
He was born on August 16, 1926 in Sand Ridge, Illinois, a son of Owen Jesse and Alma Lucille (Garris) Lunsford Sr. He was married on February 27, 1954 in Chamois, Mo. to Patsy Irene Curtie, who preceded him in death on May 16, 2013.
Owen graduated from Gorham High School in 1945. He then went on to serve in the Illinois National Guard.
In 1952, he began his career as a signal maintainer with the Missouri Pacific Railroad. He worked there for 36 years, retiring in 1988. In his retirement, Owen worked part-time with Freeman Mortuary for 25 years.
Owen had a lifelong commitment to the Masonic Lodge and was bestowed as a 33rd degree Mason over 20 years ago. He served as a 70-year member of the Masonic Lodge in both Jefferson City and Chamois, a 50-year member of the Scottish Rite in Columbia, and a 54-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Victoria Chapter #14. He was a past member of the Moolah Temple, past Master of the Jefferson Lodge No. 43, A.F. & A.M. and a past District Deputy Grand Master for the 31st District. Owen was also a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City.
Owen was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, enjoyed going to the casino with his daughters, and having coffee with his friends. He had an outgoing personality and a willingness to help in whatever capacity was needed. Owen was a true friend that everyone loved to be around.
Survivors include: his daughters, Jackie Price (Jim) and Robin Lunsford, both of Jefferson City, Mo.; sister, Judy Shapiro of Ocala, Fl.; sister-in-law, Vivian Vahrenberg of Jefferson City, Mo.; grandchildren, Amanda Allen (Brian) and Melissa Bruemmer (Brad) all of Jefferson City, Mo.; and great-grandchildren, Hunter Allen, Haiden Allen, Owen Bruemmer and Reece Ann Bruemmer.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 59 years, Patsy; sister, Joanne Steffens; and brother, Harold Lunsford.
Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 11:00 am until 12:00 Noon Saturday, March 20, 2021.
Masonic Services will be conducted at 12:00 Noon Saturday, March 20, 2021 under the auspices of the Jefferson Lodge No. 43, A.F. & A.M. A funeral service will immediately follow the Masonic Service with the Reverend Dr. Stephen Buchholz officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Everyone is welcome to attend his services while following social distancing guidelines.
A webcast of the service will begin at 12:00 PM Saturday for friends that are not able to attend by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this page and scrolling down to the webcasting link. Please click the speaker icon to enable sound.
Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Hospice Compassus, 600 Monroe St., Suite 100, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101. Friends may mail sympathy cards to the funeral home or leave condolences online to be given to his family.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.