JUNIOR GARRINGER

LAMAR- A private graveside service will be held at Lake Cemetery for Melvin Junior Garringer, 89, Lamar, who died Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at his home.

A public memorial service will be announced at a future date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Daniel Funeral Home.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to Lamar First Baptist Church Children's Ministries, in care of the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com.

Survivors include a son, Rodney Garringer, Rockford, Ill.; four daughters, Jennifer Garringer, Kansas City, Ann Stahl and husband Ralph, Lamar, Sandy Bean, Liberal and Cheri Moss and husband Darrell, Lamar; a sister, Betty Foraker, Nixa; 13 grandchildren, Sean Kirby and wife Annemarie, Kansas City, Angel Patterson and husband Kevin, Donovan Stahl and wife Jessica, Chelle Gardner and husband Mark and Marty Ansley and husband Jeremy, all of Lamar, Joey Garringer and wife Jenni, El Dorado Springs, Shauna Hackler and husband Steven, Liberal, Becky Powell and husband Logan, Lamar, Josh Bean, Sheldon, Carrie Bean and Dallas Hoghston, Monticello, Utah, Zach Kirby and wife Hope, Kansas City, Kan., Sarah Davis and husband Nathan, Lamar and Chelsea Dighero and husband Justin, Lamar; 26 great-grandchildren including Trenton Doyle and wife Chelsea, Addie Randall and husband DJ, Dallas Doyle, Jerica, Jacey and Donte Stahl, Jill and Brody Gardner, Trevyn and Tayah Garringer, Taylor Kirby and Justin Monroe, Hannah and Amelia Kirby, Tate, Tyler, TJ, Toby, Tripp and Tali Ansley, Stasha Hackler, Alyssa, Clayton and Brady Powell, Ashlynn and Michael Davis and Cheyanne Dighero. He is also survived by three great-great-grandchildren, Maiah Williams and Lane and Lucas Doyle, as well as many nieces and nephews and a large extended family.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Louise Young; his brother, James and sister-in-law, Mary Ruth Garringer; his brother-in-law, Orville Forkner; two sons-in-law, Bill Kirby and Shaun Bean and a grandson, Trevor Kirby.

Mr. Garringer was born Feb. 2, 1931, in Mount Vernon, to Melvin Grant “Buster” and Frances Elizabeth (Fossett) Garringer. He graduated from Aurora High School in the class of 1950 and served his country as a Corporal in the U.S. Army from 1951 until 1954 and was attending Sgt. school when he was discharged. He married Beverley Anne Welch on June 11, 1951, in Aurora. She preceded him in death in 2013.

Mr. Garringer worked as a butcher at Dale’s Packing and Lamar Supermarket, was a member of the Lamar Masonic Lodge, a past member of Shriners and York Rite, Eastern Star and was a Rainbow Dad. He was a member of Lamar First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Director for several years. He was a great cook and loved cooking fellowship dinners for the church, which is where he started the annual Thanksgiving dinner which was grown to be what it is today and was featured in the Joplin Globe for his efforts.

He was also a member of the Lamar Police Reserve and while in high school broke the record for the fastest time in the 440 yard dash, which he held for over 20 years before it was broken. He and his wife had a love for the beach and would often travel to Hawaii, Texas, California and Florida and after traveling for a few years they returned to their love of friends, fellowship, food and family by spending some of their retirement years cooking and working at Silver Dollar City.