Gene Martin Lunsford

Gene Martin Lunsford, longtime resident of the Somerville and LaGrange Communities, well-known bird dog trainer for the Ames Plantation for many years before his retirement and husband of Ruth Lunsford departed this life Sunday evening, June 23, 2013 at the Gallaway HealthCare Center where he had been a patient for three weeks. He was 88 years of age and died unexpectedly of natural causes.

Services of Remembrance with Military Honors for Mr. Lunsford were conducted at 2 P.M. Thursday, June 27th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. Walter German of Jackson, Tennessee, former pastor of the Somerville First United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment was in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Highway 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center — Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Lunsford was born June 25, 1924 in Benton, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Martin Lunsford and Elsie Marie Cross Lunsford. He received his education in the Benton, Illinois Public School System and served his country in the United States Navy during the World War II Period. He was married September 3, 1951 to the former Margaret Ruth Smith, who survives.

Mr. Lunsford was blessed with a lifelong love for the outdoors and a passion for both dogs and horses. For over 70 years, he was involved with field trials and was associated with the Ames Plantation Field Trials for many years. He maintained his home in Fayette County and for several months of the year, he and Mrs. Lunsford traveled to Canada, where he participated in the training of animals in that area. Nothing pleased him more than working with “a good dog” as he often commented. His love for horses was also evident in sporting activities that he participated in throughout his life.

He was of the Baptist faith and had been a resident of Fayette County for 48 years. Mr. Lunsford will be missed by his many friends and associates involved with the Ames Plantation Field Trials and bird dog activities throughout the Mid-South.

In addition to his wife of 61 years, Mr. Lunsford is survived by his daughter-in-law, Shari Lunsford of Lawrenceburg, TN. He was preceded in death by his son, Bill Lunsford; and his brother, Gordon Lunsford.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Hobart Ames Plantation, P.O. Box 389, Grand Junction, TN 38039 or to the church, charity or organization of the donor’s choice.