Delbert L Lunsford

Delbert Lee Lunsford was born September 25, 1919 in Caldwell County, Missouri, near Cowgill to Robert and Tobitha (McBride) Lunsford. He died August 2, 2011 at Garden Valley Manor. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 4 at McGilley Antioch Chapel. Funeral services at Winnwood Baptist Church, 4513 North Jackson at 10:30 a.m. Friday, with burial at 2:30 p.m. in Highland Cemetery, Hamilton, MO. He joined the US Coast Guard in 1941 and was discharged for chronic seasickness, then served in the US Army from February 1942 until October 1945 when he returned to Caldwell County to farm. He married Helen Brownlee on May 8, 1944. In 1948, they moved to Kansas City North where Delbert managed a farm for Howard Cowden. He began working for The Gas Service Company in the 50’s, retiring in 1986. They moved to Claycomo in 1956 where they continue to live. Delbert was a farmer at heart and enjoyed working outdoors with his hands and also loved having horses. He was a member of the Claycomo Saddle Club and rode many times in the American Royal Parade. An active member of Winnwood Baptist Church, he was a Deacon and involved in the Brotherhood. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Sylvia Orem, Flossie Jones, Eleanor Taylor and Dutch Lunsford. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Helen, four children – Patricia Rogers (John), Richard Lunsford (Kay), Michael Lunsford and Elisabeth (Betsy) Lunsford-Ferguson (Raymond), six grandchildren, Cassandra Rogers, Jeffrey Rogers (Katy), Nicole Branstetter (David), Patrick Lunsford (Erin), Erin and Jordan Ferguson, 5 great grandchildren, Ashlynne, Brian & Carter Branstetter, Mary Helen & Mason Rogers and sister Virginia Jones (Kenneth). www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com.