James Ross Lunsford, 71, of Whitewater passed away Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 31, 1949, in Fredericktown, Missouri, son of Ross and Ruth Kennedy Lunsford. He and Patsy Statler were married Nov. 7, 1971, in Madison County, Missouri. She survives.

Jim graduated from Fredericktown High School in 1968 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in the Vietnam War and honorably discharged in 1974. He worked 37 years for the City of Jackson, retiring as the supervisor of the Wastewater Department. Jim loved taking his grandchildren for a ride on his tractor.

Loving survivors include his wife of 49 years; a daughter, Rita (Gary) Kester of Cape Girardeau; a son, James Lunsford of Whitewater; three sisters, Evelyn Duffer of Union, Missouri, and Mary Forster and Betty Lunsford of Fredericktown; a brother, Larry Lunsford of St. Louis; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Lindel, Donald, Robert and Glen Roy Lunsford, and a sister, Alice Millar.

The family has entrusted McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson with Jim's final arrangements. There will be a private visitation at the funeral home for the family. A celebration of life memorial service may be held at a later date.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center to aid the family with final expenses.

To send an online condolence to the family visit McCombs Funeral Home website at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com, then click on the tribute wall tab of Jim's personal obituary.

Traditional gifts, cards and contributions may be sent to the family at McCombs Funeral Home, c/o Jim Lunsford, 640 W. Independence St., Jackson, MO 63755.