Tony Lunceford

Tony was born in Berry, Alabama on June 15, 1942 and was the youngest of 12 children. He graduated from Northside High School in 1960. He was president of his senior class, had perfect attendance for all 12 years, and at only 16, he drove the school bus every day. He went to Livingston University on a football scholarship and graduated with a degree in education in 1964. His first coaching job was at Jenks Junior High and then Bay County High School in Panama City, Florida. He met and married his wife, Janet Carmichael, in Florida, where they had their children Heith and Heather. He held his first head coaching job at Lannett High School in Alabama before moving his family to the Birmingham area to coach at Midfield High. He led Fultondale High School to their first regional championship and was named Alabama High School Coach of the Year in 1976. He was an assistant coach at Minor for 8 years and left in the early 90s to Head Coach the Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils. He returned to have 9 successful football seasons with the Minor Purple Tigers as their head coach and athletic director, and even coached some of his favorite players on the Minor High School Girls Basketball team. He retired from coaching after 41 years in the spring of 2007.

Tony coached his son’s teams in baseball and football and his daughter’s softball team in Gardendale park leagues and would later do the same for his grandson’s baseball and football teams there. He coached his final year at age 77 helping the Bragg Rockets of Gardendale with their offensive line in 2019.

Tony would want to be remembered as a family man, a friend, and a mentor to all of his many players and students. He valued hard work over talent and fortune. He loved the kids he coached, and he felt so blessed to be a part of their lives. His most favorite things were his best girl (Jan), his truck “Big Red”, the garden he grew every summer, his dog (Deacon), and The Alabama Crimson Tide.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, David W. Lunceford and Lola B. Lunceford, five brothers and five sisters. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Janet Carmichael Lunceford; son, Heith Lunceford (Kris); daughter, Heather Lunceford Alspach (Chris); grandchildren, Isaac Gillis, Harper Alspach, Barrett Alspach, Karis Lunceford, and Karleigh Lunceford; brother Jimmy Lunceford (Margaret); and as well as many well-loved nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 5th at 11:00 a.m. at Gardendale Mt Vernon United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Oakwood Memorial Gardens. Visitation with the family will be at Gardendale Mt Vernon United Methodist Church on Friday, March 4th from 5:00 p.m. -7:00p.m.

In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the United Methodist Children’s Home (334) 386-5354.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the Lunceford family.