Russell Launius

James Russell Launius, 87, of Cape Girardeau died Monday, Oct. 4, 2004, at his home.

He was born Jan. 23, 1917, at Bloomfield, Mo., son of Dwight T. and Elma A. Aslin Launius. He and Mary Lee Barham were married Sept. 15, 1940. She died Feb. 24, 1996. He and Imogene Eaton Hastings were married Aug. 22, 1998, in Cape Girardeau.

Mr. Launius was employed by the state of Missouri 43 years in various capacities, retiring in 1980 as personnel director. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., where he served as a deacon 30 years. He was an active member of Gideon International and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Bloomfield.

Russell was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in July 1943. He was honorably discharged as a corporal in December 1945.

Survivors include his wife; two children, Kathryn A. (Rollan) Garrison and James Barry (Phyllis) Launius, both of Jefferson City; two stepdaughters, Katherine (Rod) Gilmore of Fenton, Mo., Carla Graham of Cape Girardeau; two granddaughters, Kristi (Jim) Buhr and Kara (Brian) Rackers, both of Jefferson City; a stepgrandson, Derek (Sarah) Gilmore of Leawood, Kan.; and six great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are five siblings, Lillian Skelton of Hamilton, Mont., Louise Halstead of Bakersfield, Calif., Lois Vaughn of Dexter, Doy Launius of Moorpark, Calif., and Ruth Ann Fritsen of Hamilton, Mo.

He was preceded in death by two brothers.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. today at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Kelley Grubbs officiating. Burial will be in Bluff-Ellis Cemetery at Bloomfield.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to First Baptist Church of Jefferson City, Gideon International, or American Heart Association.