Gerald A. Luntsford
Obituary
Former Randolph County Coroner, Gerald A. Luntsford, 80, of Cairo, died Saturday, July 14, 2018, at his home. Gerald was born September 26, 1937 in Ash, MO, to Alex and Beatrice (Moore) Luntsford.
He attended grade school at Capp school, and began high school in Madison, but due to the illness of his father he quit to help on the farm. Gerald went to work in Moberly at the age of 16, and has continued to work ever since, most of the time two jobs; factory, police work, mechanic, plant manager, county coroner, and farmer.
Gerald was a board member of the Randolph County Ambulance District, Northeast R-IV Fire Department, . He donated the land for the station at Levicks Mill. He served as a board member of the Senior Citizen Housing in Cairo. He was a committee man for Salt River Township, Pachyderm Club, Lions Club, Cairo Masonic Lodge #486, Cairo Eastern Star #180, and the Luntsford Foundation.
He married Wanda Messer on August 31, 1962, in Paris, MO, and she survives. Also surviving are his children, James Luntsford and wife Jody of Charleston, SC, Timothy Luntsford and wife Stephanie of Cairo, William Luntsford of Richmond, MO, Deborah Starks and husband Lee of Clark, MO; 13 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Louis Luntsford and wife Florence of Columbia, Paul Luntsford and wife Charlene of Cairo, Bennie Luntsford and Sarah of Madison; sisters, Peggy Davis of Clark, Susie Cassese of Providence, R.I.; aunts, Lucille Moore of Higbee and Mildred Bennett of Columbia; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sam and Ethel Messer, Roger and Shirley Messer, David Messer; many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and other relatives and friends.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, brother Rev. Ross Luntsford, grandsons, Jody and Justin Luntsford; in-laws Allen and Estella Messer, brother-in-law Jerry Messer, sisters-in-law Margaret Luntsford and Arlene Luntsford.
His role as husband and father was his first priority. He became a Christian at an early age and lived his life by the golden rule.
Memorial contributions to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to Pleasant View Cemetery would be appreciated.
Services honoring and celebrating Gerald’s life were held at the Cater Funeral Home Chapel. Committal prayers and burial followed in the Pleasant View Cemetery.
