Lonnie Rex Carter passed away peacefully at his home on October 28, 2020, after losing his battle with COPD and other complications at the age of 78.
He was born on November 14, 1941 in the Green bottoms near McFall, Mo. to Frank Pierce and Lois Pauline (Mooney) Carter. He grew up on his parentâs farm north of McFall, Mo. Attended school in McFall until consolidating with Pattonsburg, Mo., and graduated in 1959. Then he attended a railroad school before enlisting in the Army.
After basic training and another school he was transferred to Germany for almost two years. He really enjoyed Germany and toured most of Europe. He told his family that he worked in a classified message center. When he arrived each morning for duty, they locked him inside. His family thought that was a great idea!
After his discharge from the Army he worked in Kansas City for a railroad, but didnât like working for them. Then he was a warehouse manager before joining the North Kansas City Police Department. He served several years on the force attaining the rank of sergeant.
On May 3, 1964 Lonnie married Betty L Newby in Kansas City, Mo. Three children, Sandra, Cynthia, and Christopher.
Raising three children on a policemanâs salary was tough. Lonnie changed his occupation to truck driver transporting new cars from the manufacturer to the dealer. He transferred to Oklahoma and worked there until he retired thirty plus years later.
He married Christine (Ancona) Middleton. Children, Frank Kearney, Michael Kearney, James Carter and Clinton Carter
He married Merry Annette Riddle on March 18, 1982 in Grayson, Texas. Children, Larry âButchâ Mitchell and Jennifer Mitchell.
Lonnie was an avid horseman and aviator. He was instrument qualified; multi-engine qualified and owned his own plane. He was a reserve deputy sheriff in Oklahoma and would use his plane to fly search operations for the sheriffâs department. He owned and trained mules to pull his wagon on long treks in a wagon train. He was a team roper and entered a lot of contests and actually won a couple or more.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Merry; his parents, Frank and Lois, his brother Jimmy
He is survived by his daughters, Sandra (Gallus), Cynthia âCindyâ (Jones), Jennifer Carter; sons, Christopher, Frank Kearney, Michael Kearney, James, Clinton, Butch Mitchell; 19 grandchildren; sister, Juanita Wilcox, Tenn.; brothers, Earl (Jo Ann), McFall, Larry (Mary), Pattonsburg, and Sam (Janet), Stewartsville, and many nieces and nephews who all loved him.
Lonnie was gruff acting, but a pushover whenever one was in need. He will be missed by a ton of friends and relatives.
Funeral services with Military Rites were November 2 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Gallatin, Mo. under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Pattonsburg, Mo. Masks will be required in the church. Inurnment will be held at a later date in McFall Cemetery, McFall, Mo. Memorials may be made to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 152, Pattonsburg, Mo. 64670. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com