Junior Garringer

(From Daniel Funeral Home)

Melvin Junior Garringer, age 89, of Lamar, Missouri passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at his home.

Junior was born February 2, 1931 in Mount Vernon, MO to Melvin Grant "Buster" Garringer and Frances Elizabeth (Fossett) Garringer. Junior 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. On June 11, 1951, Junior married Beverley Anne Welch in ­Aurora, MO who preceded him in death in 2013.

Junior 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.

Junior was a great cook and loved cooking fellowship dinners for the Church, which is where he started the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner which has grown to be what it is today and was featured in the Joplin Globe for his efforts. 

Junior was also a member of the Lamar Police Reserve and while in high school broke the record for the fastest time for 440 yard dash which he held for over 20 years before it was broken. Junior and Beverley 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.

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

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

A private graveside service will be at Lake Cemetery.

A public memorial service will be announced at a future date

Contributions are suggested and made payable to Lamar First Baptist Church Children's Ministries in care of Daniel Funeral Home.