Gerald Judy (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Gerald Russell Judy, son of Ralph Harold and Grace Adalene Hopkins Judy, was born February 1, 1942, near Danville, Illinois. He departed this life Saturday, August 14, 2010, in St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of sixty-eight years, six months, and thirteen days.
On June 26, 1965, he was united in marriage to Clova J. Lappin, and to this union two sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Janice Roulaine, and Doris House.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife of forty-five years, Clova, of the home; two sons, Eric Judy, and his wife, Susan, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Shane Judy, and his wife, Melissa, of Republic, Missouri; five grandchildren, Christopher, Caleb, Joshua, Sierra, and Sage; two brothers, David Judy, and his wife, Joyce, and Thomas Judy, all of Lebanon, Missouri; a sister, Cheryl Jean Orvis, and her husband, John, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Danville, Illinois area, and then moved with his family to Laclede County, Missouri, in 1950. He then graduated from Conway High School, in Conway, Missouri, in the Class of 1959. He served his country faithfully in the United States Navy from October 8, 1959, until January 29, 1963. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Gerald returned to Missouri for a short time and then moved to Danville, Illinois, where he worked for BA Aluminum for several years. During this time, he married Clova and they began raising their family. In 1970, the family moved to the Lebanon, Missouri area, and Gerald worked as a truck driver at Lowe Boats for twenty-one years.
Gerald had professed his faith in Christ and attended Oak Grove Baptist Church. He currently was a member of Flatwoods Baptist Church, near Lebanon.
He enjoyed riding horses and participating in rodeo activities like bull riding and calf roping. He also liked hunting and target shooting in his spare time. He was a talented musician that could play multiple instruments and particularly enjoyed bluegrass and gospel music. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and owned an Indian and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed his grandchildren.
Gerald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the wonderful memories he made for his family and friends.
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